To determine the approximate change in Greenland's ice mass from 2010 to 2011, we will follow these steps:
1. Identify the ice mass for each year:
- For the year 2010, Greenland's ice mass was -1619 gigatons.
- For the year 2011, Greenland's ice mass was -2082 gigatons.
2. Calculate the change in ice mass:
- To find the change from 2010 to 2011, we subtract the ice mass in 2010 from the ice mass in 2011:
Change in ice mass = Ice mass in 2011 - Ice mass in 2010
Substituting the values:
Change in ice mass = -2082 - (-1619)
3. Simplify the calculation:
- When subtracting a negative number, it is equivalent to adding the positive value:
Change in ice mass = -2082 + 1619
- Perform the addition:
Change in ice mass = -463
4. Determine the sign of the change:
- The result, -463 gigatons, is a negative number.
- This indicates that Greenland's ice mass decreased from 2010 to 2011.
Therefore, the approximate change in Greenland's ice mass from 2010 to 2011 is a decrease of 463 gigatons.
