Images related to Both Routes Around Arctic Open at Summer’s End

Sea Ice in McClure Strait
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Sea Ice in McClure Strait

Acquired August 17, 2010, this natural-color image shows a mostly clear McClure Strait, except for some sea ice west of Prince Patrick Island.

Published Aug 18, 2010

Water Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice

Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Annual Minimum
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Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Annual Minimum

The arrival of Northern Hemisphere autumn signals the end of the seasonal retreat of Arctic sea ice. Polar scientists from the National Snow and Ice Data Center report that sea ice appeared to hit its lowest extent on September 14, 2008, when the area at least 15 percent covered by ice dropped to 4.52 million square kilometers (1.74 million square miles).

Published Sep 23, 2008

Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice

2013 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum
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2013 Arctic Sea Ice Minimum

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.

Published Sep 21, 2013

Image of the Day Snow and Ice Sea and Lake Ice

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

Arctic Sea Ice Is Losing Its Bulwark
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Arctic Sea Ice Is Losing Its Bulwark

In 1984, there were 1.86 million square kilometers of old ice spread across the Arctic at its yearly minimum extent. In September 2016, there were only 110,000 square kilometers of old ice left.

Published Nov 4, 2016

Image of the Day Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

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

Image of the Day Snow and Ice

Sea Ice in the Beaufort Sea
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Sea Ice in the Beaufort Sea

From the time Europeans discovered the North American continent to the mid-twentieth century, sailors searched for a northwest passage that would connect the Atlantic Ocean (and Europe) to the Pacific Ocean (and Asia). No such passage exists through the continent, but during the summer, a northwest route through the Arctic opens up.

Published Aug 1, 2006

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

Amount of Old Ice in Arctic Hits Record Low in February 2009
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Amount of Old Ice in Arctic Hits Record Low in February 2009

This pair of maps shows how the sea ice covering the Arctic at winter maximum in 2009 is younger than it was in the past.

Published Apr 10, 2009

Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

A Regional Look at Arctic Sea Ice
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A Regional Look at Arctic Sea Ice

Arctic sea ice has been retreating the fastest in the Beaufort Sea.

Published Oct 18, 2017

Image of the Day Snow and Ice Remote Sensing

Oldest Arctic Sea Ice is Disappearing
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Oldest Arctic Sea Ice is Disappearing

Thick ice that used to last through multiple summers has been in steep decline for three decades.

Published Mar 1, 2012

Image of the Day Water Snow and Ice

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

Image of the Day Heat Water Snow and Ice

2011 Sea Ice Minimum
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2011 Sea Ice Minimum

In September 2011, the extent of sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean declined to the second-lowest extent on record.

Published Oct 5, 2011

Image of the Day Heat Water Snow and Ice