A glaciologist is measuring the rate at which a glacier is melting. The glacier loses 2.5 meters of thickness per year. If the glacier is currently 150 meters thick, how many years will it take for the glacier to completely melt, assuming the rate remains constant?

Sun, 03 May 2026 13:22:13 +0000

**How Long Until This Glacier Disappears? Understanding Melting Rates in Today’s Climate Conversation** As rising global temperatures accelerate ice loss worldwide, glaciologists are closely measuring how quickly glaciers shrink. One critical question circulating public curiosity is: if a glacier is currently 150 meters thick and melts at a steady rate of 2.5 meters per year, how long will it take to disappear entirely? This isn’t just a math puzzle—it reflects a deeper concern about climate change, water resources, and shifting landscapes. People are paying attention because melting glaciers impact sea levels, fresh water supplies, and local ecosystems, making this question more relevant than ever. The glaciologist is measuring the rate at which a glacier is melting. The glacier loses 2.5 meters of thickness per year. If the glacier is currently 150 meters thick, this steady decline offers a clear timeline: dividing 150 meters by 2.5 meters per year reveals 60 full years of melting under consistent conditions. Of course, natural variability in climate and local geography may influence the actual timeline, but this steady rate serves as a strong baseline for understanding glacial retreat. This steady erosion makes sense in today’s environmental context. Ongoing research shows that many glaciers worldwide are losing mass at increasing rates due to warmer air and warmer ocean waters. A 2.5-meter annual loss mirrors patterns observed in polar and mountainous regions where long-term monitoring confirms consistent thinning, underscoring the real impact of climate change.