Final answer:
To find the average annual rate of melt for the Peyto Glacier, divide the total distance receded (1,500 meters) by the number of years (60), yielding an average annual rate of 25 meters per year. However, this correct calculation does not match the provided options, suggesting there may be a typo.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average annual rate of melt of the Peyto Glacier, we need to determine how much the glacier receded over a specific period and then divide that amount by the number of years. The glacier receded 1.5 km between 1933 and 1993, which is a span of 60 years.
First, convert the distance from kilometers to meters: 1.5 km = 1,500 meters. Next, divide the total distance receded by the number of years to find the average annual rate of melt:
1,500 meters รท 60 years = 25 meters per year
This calculation gives us the average annual rate of melt for the Peyto Glacier, which corresponds to choice C) 15 meters per year (the correct option would actually be 25 meters per year, but since it is not provided in the options, there might be a typo in the choices).
This shows that with the increasing temperatures due to global warming, glaciers like the Peyto Glacier are receding at significant rates, which affects local ecosystems and contributes to global sea level rises.