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Global warming is causing an increase in floating icebergs in the North Atlantic Ocean, putting more ships at risk of sinking like the Titanic. Despite the Titanic being an unusual event, recent decades have seen more icebergs appearing at sea in milder temperatures. The Titanic cost $7.5 million USD to build and was equipped to carry up to 64 lifeboats, but only had 20 on board. The Harmony of the Seas cruise ship is nearly 300 feet longer than the Titanic.
The tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 was considered a bizarre event, as the gigantic ship was labeled “unsinkable” and the presence of a huge iceberg in its path was deemed highly unlikely. But if recent data is to be believed, more ships than ever are at risk of meeting a similar fate. According to a study by the University of Sheffield, the North Atlantic Ocean is becoming increasingly prone to floating icebergs as global warming continues to warm the Earth. Warm temperatures mean more chunks of ice are breaking free from Arctic shelves, and each new snowfall pushes them south into the shipping lanes. And while 1912 was unusual in terms of the number of icebergs sighted in the area (1,038 icebergs total), it barely compares to recent decades, with more and more icebergs appearing at sea in milder temperatures.
Curiosities about the Titanic:
The RMS Titanic cost $7.5 million USD to build (the equivalent of about $400 million today) and required the efforts of 3,000 shipbuilders.
Titanic was equipped to carry up to 64 lifeboats, but departed on her ill-fated mission with only 20 in tow.
Launched in 2016, the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship spans 1,188 feet (362m) in length, nearly 300 feet (94m) longer than Titanic.
