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Analyse the data shown in Figure 1a and Figure 1b - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 1
Analyse the data shown in Figure 1a and Figure 1b. Figure 1a shows the change in Antarctic ice and the relative contribution to sea-level change between 1992 and 20... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the data shown in Figure 1a and Figure 1b - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Analysis of Figure 1a
Answer
Figure 1a illustrates that all areas of Antarctica, except East Antarctica, show a negative mass change over the period from 1992 to 2017. The overall trend reveals a general decrease in ice mass, with Antarctica losing approximately 2000 Gigatonnes (Gt) of ice, contributing around 8 mm to sea-level rise. East Antarctica, in contrast, has seen minimal change, indicating a more stable ice mass in that region.
Step 2
Analysis of Figure 1b
Answer
Observing Figure 1b, the distribution of changing ice extent in 2013 demonstrates that West Antarctica has the most significant reductions in ice extent, particularly around the Pine Island Glacier, which is the site of considerable ice loss. Areas marked with larger circles indicate greater ice loss, with some regions losing amounts exceeding 100 Gt. The Antarctic Peninsula displays a more erratic pattern of ice loss, demonstrating variability across different areas.
Step 3
Overall Connections
Answer
The data from both figures highlight critical spatial relationships. While West Antarctica shows notable ice loss contributing significantly to sea-level rise, East Antarctica remains largely stable. This variance underscores the complexity of Antarctic ice dynamics and their potential implications for global sea levels.