Antarctic winter sea ice hits 'extreme' record low
by Daria Blackwell 3 Oct 00:03 UTC
The preliminary Antarctic Sea Ice Maximum and Arctic Sea Ice Minimum are both in and the results are alarming scientists.
U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) announced that Antarctic sea ice extent peaked this year on Sept. 10, when it covered 16.96 million square kilometers (6.55 million square miles), the lowest winter maximum since satellite records began in 1979. That's about 1 million square kilometers less ice than the previous winter record set in 1986.
Scientists consider it 'An extreme record-breaking year', not just a record-breaking year. Researchers warn that dire consequences could result. Animals such as penguins who breed and rear their young on the sea ice may be severely impacted while it may also hasten global warming by reducing how much sunlight is reflected by white ice back into space.
An academic article published earlier this month in the journal Communications Earth and Environment pointed to climate change as a potential factor. The shift toward record-low conditions has scientists concerned climate change may finally be presenting itself in Antarctic sea ice.
The preliminary 2023 Arctic sea ice minimum is also in...
- Arctic summer minimum - 6th lowest on record in 45 years of satellite records
- The last 17 years are the lowest 17 on record
- Minimum was reached 5 days later than the 1981-2010 median
This article has been provided by the courtesy of the
Ocean Cruising Club.