Sea-level rise from melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater is not uniform across the globe. Local rates depend on factors including ocean currents, gravitational effects of large ice sheets, and post-glacial rebound — the slow rise of land that was once depressed under heavy ice. Some coasts are experiencing much faster rises than the global average, while others are recording little change or even net decline.
Which conclusion most logically follows from the passage?
- A
Post-glacial rebound has no effect on observed sea-level change
- B
All coastlines experience identical rates of sea-level change
- Ccheck_circle
Global average sea-level statistics are insufficient on their own to characterize impacts on any specific coastline
- D
Local sea-level patterns are determined exclusively by ocean currents
Explanation
Multiple factors producing local variation supports A. B, C, D contradict the passage.