Arctic Sea Ice at a Record All-Time Low
The current extent of Arctic sea ice is reported as being about 1 million square miles lower than the long-term average minimum low recorded between 1979 and 2000. On Sept. 16, Arctic sea ice extent stood at 1.59 million square miles based on a five-day running average.
The previous low was set on Sept. 20 and 21, 2005 when the low was recorded as being about 460,000 square miles more than at present. This loss represents an area the size of Texas and California combined or the equivalent of five United Kingdoms.
The overall loss since 1979 represents a loss approximately equaling the area of Alaska and Texas combined or about ten United Kingdoms. The scientific measurement of sea ice extent is the total area of all Arctic regions that have at least a 15 percent ice cover on all the ocean surface.
Mark Serreze, senior scientist of NSIDC, said that they at NSIDC were stunned because the new minimum didn't just break all previous records, it shattered them.
Arctic sea ice generally reaches its minimum extent in September and its maximum in March. Pinpointing the precise day on which the minimum is reached can be difficult but it is generally recognized to be when several consecutive days show no change in measurement, which indicates that the melt season has decisively ended.
NSIDC has recorded five consecutive days with no change and even perhaps some small increase of ice extent so it seems unlikely that a lower minimum will be reached for 2007.
Scientists at NSIDC and elsewhere blame the shrinking Arctic sea ice extent on rising concentrations of greenhouse gases. Temperatures across the arctic have risen between 2 degrees F and 7 degrees F and greenhouse gases are identified as the cause of the temperature change that has resulted in receding Arctic sea ice extent. Another factor in measuring Arctic sea ice extent is the strong natural variability of Arctic sea ice.
The researchers at NSIDC used satellite data from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as data from Canadian satellites and weather observatories for the study of Arctic sea ice extent.
Stephanie Regrow, "Arctic sea ice minimum shatters all-time record low, report University of Colorado scientists," University of Colorado at Boulder.
Published by K.L. Hartwig
A retired stockbroker, I am in e-education, tutoring in English Literature and Language and studying for an M.A. in English Linguistics. View profile
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