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A NASA satellite image shows Arctic sea ice.
Maximum sea ice extent at record low level as melting season begins
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — With the vernal equinox, the sun starts once again to shine north of the Arctic Circle, and that marks the beginning of the melt season for sea ice in the region.
Researchers with the Boulder-based National Snow and Ice Data Center say this year’s maximum sea ice extent, which on average occurs March 6, is tied with 2006 as lowest on record since satellite measurements began in 1979. The maximum ice extent was 463,000 square miles below the 1979-2000 average, an area slightly larger than the states of Texas and California combined.
Virtually all climate scientists believe shrinking Arctic sea ice is tied to warming temperatures in the region caused by an increase in human-produced greenhouse gases being pumped into Earth’s atmosphere.
Because of the spiraling downward trend of Arctic sea ice extent in the last decade, some CU scientists are predicting the Arctic Ocean may be ice free in the summers within the next several decades.
The seven lowest maximum Arctic sea ice extents measured by satellites all have occurred in the last seven years, said CU-Boulder Research Scientist Walt Meier of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, who participated the latest study.
“I’m not surprised by the new data because we’ve seen a downward trend in winter sea ice extent for some time now,” said CU-Boulder Research Scientist Walt Meier of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, who participated the latest study. The seven lowest maximum Arctic sea ice extents measured by satellites all have occurred in the last seven years, Meier said.
Scientists believe Arctic sea ice functions like an air conditioner for the global climate system by naturally cooling air and water masses, playing a key role in ocean circulation and reflecting solar radiation back into space, said Meier. In the Arctic summer months, sunlight is absorbed by the growing amounts of open water, raising surface temperatures and causing more ice to melt.
“I think one of the reasons the Arctic sea ice maximum extent is declining is that the autumn ice growth is delayed by warmer temperatures and the ice extent is not able to ‘catch up’ through the winter,” said Meier. “In addition, the clock runs out on the annual ice growth season as temperatures start to rise along with the sun during the spring months.”
Since satellite record keeping began in 1979, the maximum Arctic sea ice extent has occurred as early as Feb. 18 and as late as March 31, with an average date of March 6. Since the CU-Boulder researchers determine the maximum sea ice extent using a five-day running average, there is small chance the data could change.
In early April CU-Boulder’s National Snow and Ice Data Center will issue a formal announcement on the 2011 maximum sea ice extent with a full analysis of the winter ice growth season, including graphics comparing 2011 to the long-term record.
Filed under: climate and weather, global warming, world news Tagged: | Arctic, Arctic sea ice, climate, global warming, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Polar ice packs, Summit County News, University of Colorado Boulder
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According to National Snow and Ice Data Centre the worst year for ice melt was 2007. See their website and read their summary of the last month http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
The fact is that ,at this time, there is no evidence in the Arctic or Antarctic or ice recession. Once again I think we need to wait and study the facts before racing off with presumptions. The issue of “Green House Gases” Causing global heating is inconclusive and distracting to the real pollution problems that will cause greater harm in the closer future.