Arctic Sea Ice Satellite

In 2019 the arctic minimum sea ice covered an area of 4 15 million square.
Arctic sea ice satellite. This visualization shows the expanse of the annual minimum arctic sea ice for each year from 1979 through 2019 with a graph overlay. Every summer the arctic ice cap melts to what scientists call its minimum before colder weather begins to cause ice cover to increase. They use a combination of satellite records shipping records and ice charts from several countries. Sea ice forecasts primarily based on satellite and other data are important for many stakeholders to operate in the marine environment including the u s.
Sep 21 2020 4 51 pm by. Today scientists studying arctic sea ice trends can rely on a fairly comprehensive record dating back to 1953. The u s based national snow and ice data centre has decided that today is likely to be when the overall level of sea ice across. Ships are framed by pieces of melting sea ice in frobisher bay in iqaluit nunavut on wednesday july 31 2019.
Coast guard arctic coastal communities and alaska native populations the oil and gas and fishing industries first responders to emergencies and scientific researchers. There s no going back at this point said mark serreze of the u s. On september 15 arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent of 3 74 million square kilometers 1 44 million square miles. National snow and ice data center.
Shown below are up to date satellite observations of the sea ice covers of both the arctic and the antarctic along with comparisons with the historical satellite record of more than 37 years. The minimum ice extent is the second lowest in the 42 year old satellite record reinforcing the long term downward trend in arctic ice extent. Satellite pictures show arctic sea ice is at its second lowest level since such records began and barely missed breaking the old mark. Satellite pictures say arctic sea ice is now at its second lowest level in more than.
Explore current and archived sea ice data on the nsidc sea ice index web site. This graph shows the average monthly arctic sea ice extent each september since 1979 derived from satellite observations. Satellite pictures show arctic sea ice is at its second lowest level in more than four decades. Explore nasa satellite data using interactive maps that show how the arctic is changing over time.
State of the cryosphere. Sea ice cryosphere glossary. Your burning questions about snow and ice. And scientists say they believe the defining feature of life in northern waters could shrink even further before the melt season is over.
The animated time series below shows the annual arctic sea ice minimum since 1979 based on satellite observations. The 2012 sea ice extent is the lowest in the satellite record.