Question

When sea ice melts, the darker ocean surface that is revealed absorbs more solar radiation, which in turn causes warming and melts more ice, which in turn creates a greater area of darker ocean surface. What is this process called? Select one:

a. negative feedback
b. loop climatic cycling
c. polar oscillations
d. tipping point
e. polar amplification

Answer 1

Polar amplification is the process by which the melting of sea ice exposes darker ocean surface, leading to more solar radiation absorption, further warming, and continued ice melting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process described in the question is known as polar amplification. When sea ice melts, it exposes the darker ocean surface, which absorbs more solar radiation and leads to further warming and ice melting. This creates a positive feedback loop where the melting ice creates a greater area of darker ocean surface, causing more warming and ice melt.