Question

what is the main reason that glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice are melting faster in recent times? choose the best answer. volcanic eruptions under the ice are melting it from below. there is more heat being trapped within the earths atmosphere. the earth is moving closer to the sun each year. more animals are living on the ice, causing it to break apart.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Volcanic eruptions under ice are not a main or widespread cause of recent rapid ice melting.
• Option 2: Due to greenhouse gas emissions, more heat is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere (global warming), which increases temperatures and causes glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice to melt faster. This is the scientifically established main cause.
• Option 3: The Earth’s distance from the Sun does not change in a way that causes recent rapid ice melting; orbital changes are long - term and not the cause of recent trends.
• Option 4: Animals living on ice do not cause large - scale, rapid ice melting.

Answer:

There is more heat being trapped within the Earth's atmosphere.