NASA scientists have noted a significant event: on September 19, Arctic sea ice reached its smallest extent in six years. In contrast, the expansion rate of Antarctic sea ice is slowing down during a period when it should have been accelerating.
The Evolving Polar Ecosystems and Their Influence on Global Climate
The polar ecosystems of our planet are shaped by sea ice, and these ice masses play a crucial role in maintaining the global climate. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and NASA researchers utilize satellite technology to measure sea ice, determining its extent based on the area where at least 15% of the ocean surface is covered by ice.
The Shrinking Arctic Ice Cover
From March to September 2023, the Arctic ice cover diminished from a maximum area of 14.62 million square kilometers to just 4.23 million square kilometers. This reduction, approximately 2 million square kilometers below the 1981-2010 average minimum (6.22 million square kilometers), is equivalent to the total area of the continental United States.
The Changing State of Antarctic Sea Ice
Conversely, Antarctic sea ice reached its smallest winter maximum extent on September 10, 2023, which is 16.96 million square kilometers. This figure is 1.03 million square kilometers below the previous record low set in 1986, a size difference comparable to the combined areas of Texas and California.
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References: NASA
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