Predicted Rise in Sea Levels: Should Coastal Residences Relocate?

Over the last few years, temperatures in west Antarctica have been relatively constant and at times, even slightly lower. Nevertheless, in March 2009, a group of scientists from around the world unveiled the facts of a two-year study, revealing an alarming increase in melting across west Antarctica.

These new facts are quite disturbing as they not only exceed the predictions of two years ago, the melting is now occurring across a much wider area.

The Antarctic Peninsula has been the focus for quite some time due to its rapid melting. And since temperatures around west Antarctica have been relatively steady, there was no reason for scientists to be concerned; which is why the report is so shocking. In addition to this, the ice shelves are melting faster as well.

Ice shelves range from 650 to 980 feet thick and they keep glaciers from heading out to sea. Satellite data reveals significant weakening in these ice shelves. If they collapse, millions around the world would be forced to flee coastal regions.

The melting seems to be accelerating rapidly and according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, if something isn't done soon, within six years, sea levels could rise as much as five feet and we could find ourselves locked in a cycle of extreme global warming.

The Pine Island and Smith glaciers are two of the largest glaciers in Antarctica. Over the last decade their speed has increase more than fifty percent dumping ice and water into the sea, raising sea levels. The faster they move the faster they melt.

West Antarctica glaciers lose over a hundred billion tons each year. If the sheet collapses, it would be a worldwide catastrophe.

Also, in the southern part of Antarctica, the temperature has risen 0.36 over the last ten years, which is nearly double the increase in temperatures of the other oceans.

Sea levels are predicted to rise as much as five feet, which would put places such as Washington D.C., California and all coastal regions largely under water.

The five-meter estimate is arrived at by calculating the entire mass of the ice sheet, converting it to water then adding it to the ocean. But when an ice sheet melts the gravitational pull is affected and sea levels rise more rapidly.

If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapses the gravitational pull will change and cause a rotation axis shift, pushing the ocean towards North America.

Many of those living near the coast are understandably concerned about these things and are asking what they should do. They have established lives and to simply pull up roots and relocate because of something that may or may not happen is very extreme.

There are countless persons around the world who believe we are living in the End Times. In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ described a future time he called, "the beginning of sorrows," or "birth pains," which perfectly match the times we are living in today.

John, in Revelation, elaborates further on these times. He saw terrible things which mankind will experience as the time of the Lord's return draws near. Therefore, it is imperative that we turn to God for guidance and protection.

If you haven't already done so, ask Jesus to come into your heart today and be your Savior. He said He would never turn anyone away who calls on Him. Study the bible (John is a good place to start) and learn about Him.

Many truly believe we are on the threshold of the Great Tribulation and that things are going to go downhill from here. If this is true, do you know what to expect? Do you know about the mark of the beast? Do your children know? Would they know what to do? Do you know what the Lord said to do when we see Jerusalem surrounded by armies?

If you know these things, then know also that one day you will be confronted by those who will ask you, "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you try to warn me?"

There is a time of testing, which is about to come upon the whole world. Right now salvation is free, but there will come a day when the sign of the Son of God will appear in the heavens and the door to salvation will be closed.

God has waited patiently for us to come to Him, willing that none should perish. However, He is also a God of wrath. The day of the Lord will be a day of devastating catastrophe unlike anything man has ever known.

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Therefore, get right with God and ask Him to show you the path that He wants you to take. Who else would know what's best for you? Jesus could return at any time. Are you ready to face Him? Do you know Him? More importantly, does He know you?

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."