(source: usgs.gov)
Purpose of the project: Apply numeric integration techniques to a real-world problem.
As the globe warms, the gigantic ice sheets that cover Greenland and Antartica may begin to melt and contribute to sea level rises. Just how big is the Antartic ice sheet? According the previous link, it contains 30 million cubic kilometers of ice. Where does that number come from? The main question behind this project is to come up with your own estimates.
- Let’s start relatively simple: Suppose we think of Antartica as a giant circular cylinder with a radius of 2000 km and a height or thickness of 3000 m. What would be the volume?
- Using Google Earth or other sources of data you find on the web, what are three ways you could improve your estimate from part (1)? Which of the three ways do you think will make the biggest difference? Why?
- Implement at least one of the improvements to get a better estimate. What was the final answer? How did you get there? What trouble did you run into?