Arctic ice hits second-lowest level
The US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says the sea ice cover in the Arctic has reached the second-lowest level since satellite records began.
The center announced that the ice cover reached its minimum of 4.33 million sq km on 9 September, with 36% lower value than the average minimum for 1979-2000, the state-funded BBC reported.
NSIDC said it would publish the final figures in early October and that "changing winds could still push the ice extent lower."
The preliminary value is 160,000 sq km - or 4% - above the record minimum seen in 2007.
"While the record low year of 2007 was marked by a combination of weather conditions that favored ice loss - including clearer skies, favorable wind patterns and warm temperatures - this year has shown more typical weather patterns but continued warmth over the Arctic," they wrote.
"This supports the idea that the Arctic sea ice cover is continuing to thin."
NSIDC director also said: "Every summer that we see a very low ice extent in September sets us up for a similar situation the following year.”
"The Arctic sea ice cover is so thin now compared to 30 years ago that it just can’t take a hit any more. This overall pattern of thinning ice in the Arctic in recent decades is really starting to catch up with us," added Mark Serreze.
University of Bremen researchers, who used a different satellite to assess ice cover, indicated last week that 2011’s minimum was the lowest on record.
Recent analyses of Arctic ice have always indicated that it has been changing from one solid mass to more dispersed, piecemeal ice cover and seasonal floes that melt more easily.
Source: presstv.ir
