Images related to Melting Woes: Antarctic Sea Ice at Record Lows

Polar Sea Ice at Record Lows
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Polar Sea Ice at Record Lows

In 2017, the Arctic maximum and Antarctic minimum extents of sea ice plunged to record lows.

Published Mar 23, 2017

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Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Maximum Extent
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Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Maximum Extent

As the Arctic experienced a new record summer minimum for ice extent, the Antarctic set a new record for maximum winter sea ice.

Published Oct 11, 2012

Image of the Day Snow and Ice

Despite Antarctic Gains, Global Sea Ice Is Shrinking
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Despite Antarctic Gains, Global Sea Ice Is Shrinking

Due to accelerated Arctic losses, Earth has been shedding sea ice since 1979 at an annual rate of 35,000 square kilometers (13,500 square miles).

Published Feb 11, 2015

Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice

Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Maximum Extent
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Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Maximum Extent

This map shows sea ice extent around Antarctica on September 22, 2013, when ice covered more of the Southern Ocean than at any other time in the satellite record.

Published Oct 1, 2013

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Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Ties Second Lowest on Record
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Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Ties Second Lowest on Record

Since satellites began monitoring sea ice in 1979, researchers have observed a decline in the average extent of Arctic sea ice in every month of the year.

Published Sep 16, 2016

Image of the Day Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

A Tale of Two Poles
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A Tale of Two Poles

The 2014 arctic sea ice minimum is the sixth lowest on record, while antarctic sea ice continues to exceed the record maximum extent.

Published Sep 24, 2014

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2015 Antarctic Sea Ice Extent
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2015 Antarctic Sea Ice Extent

In 2015, the annual maximum extent of Antarctic sea ice dropped below previous consecutive years of record highs.

Published Oct 18, 2015

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2019 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Is Second Lowest
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2019 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Is Second Lowest

The long-term trend for Arctic sea ice extent has been definitively downward.

Published Sep 23, 2019

Image of the Day Heat Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing Sea and Lake Ice

Arctic Sea Ice Reaches 2018 Minimum
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Arctic Sea Ice Reaches 2018 Minimum

The ice cap tied for the sixth lowest extent on record, continuing a long-term decline.

Published Sep 28, 2018

Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing Sea and Lake Ice

Sea Ice Ebbs and Flows
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Sea Ice Ebbs and Flows

These satellite-based maps show sea ice concentration in the Arctic and Antarctic during September 2008 and February 2009, the months of the sea ice maximums and minimums in the respective hemispheres.

Published Apr 21, 2009

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Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Second-Lowest Extent
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Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Second-Lowest Extent

The Arctic sea ice extent continues its long-term downward trend.

Published Sep 22, 2020

Image of the Day Heat Land Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing Sea and Lake Ice

Approaching the 2011 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum
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Approaching the 2011 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum

This animation shows Arctic sea ice shrinking to a near record minimum in the summer of 2011.

Published Sep 22, 2011

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Arctic Sea Ice Drops below 2007 Record
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Arctic Sea Ice Drops below 2007 Record

On August 26, 2012, Arctic sea ice broke all previous records weeks ahead of the end of melt season.

Published Aug 28, 2012

Image of the Day Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice