Final answer:
Alpine glacial melt has contributed significantly to the rise in sea level since 1880, with an estimated rise of 312 mm over approximately 130 years based on the annual contribution of 2.4 mm from melting ice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The contribution of alpine glacial melt to the rise in sea level since 1880 is significant. From satellite measurements, melting ice, which includes alpine glaciers, is the largest contributor to the rise, with a rate of 3.6 mm per year. The total sea level rise since 1880 is about 230 mm, and it's projected that by 2100, we might see an additional comparable rise, leading to a total increase of approximately 0.5 meters.
Breaking down these numbers further, out of the 3.6 mm per year rise, melting ice contributes about 2.4 mm per year. Given these figures, we can estimate that over the course of approximately 130 years, the amount of sea level rise attributed to alpine glacial melt could be roughly 312 mm (130 years * 2.4 mm/year), making glaciers a significant factor in global sea level changes.