Il livello dei mari dal 1992 ad oggi è salito in media di 8 centimetri, con picchi di 25 centimetri in alcune aree. Entro la fine del secolo l'innalzamento potrebbe raggiungere i 90 centimetri, mettendo a rischio numerose città costiere. Lo riferiscono i ricercatori della NASA.
La crescita non è uniforme, ma più veloce rispetto a 50 anni fa. In alcune aree della terra si è verificato un abbassamento, dovuto alle correnti oceaniche e a cicli naturali.
Secondo gli esperti dell’agenzia governativa americana, all'innalzamento hanno contribuito in egual misura l'espansione degli oceani sempre più caldi, lo scioglimento delle calotte della Groenlandia e dell'Antartide e quello dei ghiacciai montani. Il destino delle calotte polari appare il più incerto, e quello maggiormente in grado velocizzare l'aumento del livello del mare.
ANSA/SP
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