Question

As arctic temperatures rise, summer sea ice and glacial melt accelerates; lighter color surfaces are thereby replaced with darker-colored surfaces leading to more absorption and surface heating. This is an example of a(n) ________ feedback.

1) positive
2) negative
3) dynamic
4) reverse

Answer 1

The process described is an example of a positive feedback mechanism because it represents a cycle where an initial warming leads to further ice melt, which in turn increases heat absorption and accelerates global warming.

Step-by-step explanation:

The accelerating melt of summer sea ice and glaciers in the Arctic due to rising temperatures, which leads to darker-colored surfaces replacing lighter ones, thus increasing absorption and surface heating, is an example of a positive feedback mechanism in climate change. Positive feedbacks in the climate system lead to a cycle where an initial change is amplified by the reactions it causes, such as the reduction of ice, which decreases surface reflectivity, leading to more heat absorption and further warming.