Question

Researchers in Antarctica are studying icebergs. A variety of viruses and diseases are trapped in the ice. When the ice is 6.5fully melted they will be released. There are currently 6.5 trillion tons of ice in Antarctica. The researchers discovered that we are losing 150 billion tons of ice each year. How many years will it take for the viruses to escape the icebergs?

Answer 1

Calculating the time it will take for the viruses to escape requires dividing the total ice by the annual loss.

\( \frac{6.5 \text{ trillion tons}}{150 \text{ billion tons/year}} \)

This simplifies to 43.33 years. Therefore, it would take approximately 43.33 years for the viruses to be released if the current rate of ice loss continues.