Question at position 27 Which is NOT a contributing factor in overall observed global rise in sea level? The melting of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice sheetsThe thermal shrinking of ocean surface watersThe thermal expansions of ocean waters

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Let's break down the question and each answer option to understand what drives sea level rise globally.
Option 1: The melting of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice sheets. This is indeed a major contributor to sea level rise because large volumes of freshwater are entering the oceans as ice sheets lose mass, elevating global sea levels.
Option 2: The thermal shrinking of ocean surface waters. This statement is inconsistent with established physics. Warmer ocean water expands (thermal expansion), which raises sea level; cooling would cause contraction, not shrinking. The phrase 'thermal shrinking' incorrectly describes the effect of temperature on seawater volume, so this option does not align with the observed mechanisms driving sea level rise.
Option 3: The thermal expansions of ocean waters. This is a well-documented contributor: as seawater warms, its density and volume increase, leading to higher sea levels even without added water mass. This is a core component of global sea level rise.
In summary, options 1 and 3 correctly describe factors that contribute to rising sea levels, while option 2 uses the incorrect concept of 'thermal shrinking' and thus does not contribute to the observed rise. The overall rise in sea level is driven by both ice mass loss from polar ice sheets and thermal expansion of warming oceans, not by shrinking of ocean water due to temperature.

Question at position 27 Which is NOT a contributing factor in overall observed global rise in sea level? The melting of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice sheetsThe thermal shrinking of ocean surface watersThe thermal expansions of ocean waters

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