These images show overall Arctic sea ice extent on September 19, 2010 (the date of the 2010 minimum), and sea ice growth in mid-September 2010.
Image of the Day Snow and Ice
The 2014 arctic sea ice minimum is the sixth lowest on record, while antarctic sea ice continues to exceed the record maximum extent.
Image of the Day Heat Water Snow and Ice
The ice cap tied for the sixth lowest extent on record, continuing a long-term decline.
Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing Sea and Lake Ice
On August 26, 2012, Arctic sea ice broke all previous records weeks ahead of the end of melt season.
Image of the Day Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice
These maps compare Arctic sea ice minimum extents in 1984 (a year with average coverage) and 2012 (the new record low).
Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice
In September 2011, the extent of sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean declined to the second-lowest extent on record.
Arctic sea ice has been retreating the fastest in the Beaufort Sea.
Image of the Day Snow and Ice Remote Sensing
Compiled from passive microwave sensor data, these images show Arctic sea ice extent for September 2002 and March 2003.
Winds pushed Antarctic sea ice north of its typical location in February 2013.
Image of the Day Land Water Snow and Ice
Sea ice naturally grows and melts each year, but the process has been more extreme in recent years.
The amount of Arctic Ocean covered by ice was significantly more than the record low of 2012, but still well below the long-term average.