Arctic sea ice

Artic Sea Ice Disappearing, Polar Bears Face Extinction

Cheryl Phillips — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:42:23 -0500

Researchers predict that within 20 years ice cover will be completely gone during the warmer months. A report was complied by the UK-based Catlin Arctic Survey and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)that indicates the Arctic Ocean will be "largely ice free" during summer within a decade. As the Arctic sea ice melts, polar bears face extinction.

Data shows negative summertime ice trend continues

harminka — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:01:34 -0500

The Arctic sea ice cover appears to have reached its minimum extent for the year, the third-lowest recorded since satellites began measuring sea ice extent in 1979, according to the University of Colorado at Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Thinning sea ice bodes ice-free North Pole summers

harminka — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:41:37 -0500

In September of 2007, sea ice in the Arctic Ocean had a minimum monthly extent of 4.26 million square kilometers (1.64 million square miles), 23 percent lower than the previous minimum in 2005.

NASA data show Arctic saw fastest August sea ice retreat on record

harminka — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:54:00 -0500

Following a record-breaking season of arctic sea ice decline in 2007, NASA scientists have kept a close watch on the 2008 melt season. Although the melt season did not break the record for ice loss, NASA data are showing that for a four-week period in August 2008, sea ice melted faster during that period than ever before.

Arctic sea ice reaches lowest extent in 2008

harminka — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:30:21 -0500

The Arctic sea ice cover appears to have reached its minimum extent for the year, the second-lowest extent recorded since satellite record-keeping began in 1979, according to the University of Colorado at Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center, or NSIDC.

Permafrost threatened by rapid retreat of Arctic sea ice

harminka — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:26:20 -0500

The rate of climate warming over northern Alaska, Canada, and Russia could more than triple during periods of rapid sea ice loss, according to a new study led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The findings raise concerns about the thawing of permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, and the potential consequences for sensitive ecosystems, human infrastructure, and the release of additional greenhouse gases.

Arctic ice more vulnerable to sunny weather,

harminka — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:42:06 -0500

he shrinking expanse of Arctic sea ice is increasingly vulnerable to summer sunshine, new research concludes. The study, by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Colorado State University (CSU), finds that unusually sunny weather contributed to last summer's record loss of Arctic ice, while similar weather conditions in past summers do not appear to have had comparable impacts.

Researchers say Arctic sea ice still at risk despite cold winter

harminka — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:58:34 -0500

Using the latest satellite observations, NASA researchers and others report that the Arctic is still on “thin ice” when it comes to the condition of sea ice cover in the region. A colder-than-average winter in some regions of the Arctic this year has yielded an increase in the area of new sea ice, while the older sea ice that lasts for several years has continued to decline.

New method to estimate sea ice thickness

harminka — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:14:38 -0600

Scientists recently developed a new modeling approach to estimate sea ice thickness. This is the only model based entirely on historical observations.

Older Arctic sea ice replaced by young, thin ice

harminka — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:18:38 -0600

A new study by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers indicates older, multi-year sea ice in the Arctic is giving way to younger, thinner ice, making it more susceptible to record summer sea-ice lows like the one that occurred in 2007.

Arctic sea ice shatters record low

harminka — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:22:13 -0500

Arctic sea ice during the 2007 melt season plummeted to the lowest levels since satellite measurements began in 1979, according to researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Arctic sea ice minimum shatters all-time record low

harminka — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:13:46 -0500

Scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center said today that the extent of Arctic sea ice appears to have reached its minimum for 2007 on Sept. 16, shattering all previous lows since satellite record-keeping began nearly 30 years ago.