Which one of the following has contributed the maximum in sea level rise so far in the context of climate change?
AMelting of Antarctic ice-sheets
BMelting of glaciers
CThermal expansion of oceanic waters ✓ Correct
DMelting of Greenland ice-sheets
Correct answer: (C) Thermal expansion of oceanic waters
Explanation
As oceans absorb heat, the water expands and occupies more volume, the largest driver of past sea level rise.
Melting of Antarctic ice sheets does raise seas but its historic share has been comparatively small.
Melting mountain glaciers add meltwater yet rank below thermal expansion so far.
Greenland ice loss is accelerating recently but has added less cumulatively than ocean warming.
Land ice contributions are projected to overtake expansion later this century.
Expansion-driven rise is termed steric sea level rise (steric sea level rise).
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