Polar Axes Arctic Records Sixth-Lowest Ice Cover; Antarctic Substantiations Record Low Growth
Image Source: Eurasia Review
In the wake of global warming, Earth’s polar regions are undergoing unprecedented changes. The Arctic, on September 19, 2023, recorded its sixth-lowest ice cover in satellite records, while the Antarctic saw a historic low in its ice growth on September 10, defying expectations.
According to data from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the Arctic’s annual minimum ice extent reached 4.23 million square kilometers in 2023, nearly 2 million square kilometers below the 1981–2010 average. This marks the sixth-lowest year on record.
Meanwhile, the Antarctic witnessed a shocking decline, with its winter maximum extent reaching only 16.96 million square kilometers. This is a remarkable 1.03 million square kilometers below the previous record low set in 1986, equivalent to the combined size of Texas and California.
These alarming changes result from the long-term impact of rising temperatures. Since satellite records began in 1979, Arctic sea ice has been diminishing and getting younger, with melting seasons becoming longer. Experts warn that the Arctic, warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, is also experiencing thinning ice.
While the causes of the Antarctic sea ice’s meager growth are still under investigation, factors such as El Niño, wind patterns, and warming ocean temperatures are being considered. This record-low extent in 2023 continues a downward trend in Antarctic sea ice since its peak in 2014. Scientists emphasize the importance of long-term measurements to comprehend these polar shifts fully.
Team Profile
Latest entries
News28 September 2023Mars Exploration: Perseverance Rover Masters Autonomous Navigation
News28 September 2023Polar Axes Arctic Records Sixth-Lowest Ice Cover; Antarctic Substantiations Record Low Growth
News28 September 2023NASA’s Bennu Sample: Unlocking the Secrets of Life on Earth and Preventing Cosmic Collisions- News25 September 2023Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan Rover Offers Lunar Soil Insights with Unclear Imprints
