Check out these incredible images of the sun's surface. NASA …
Ice covering the ocean surface at lower Baffin Island, area around Hudson Strait and the Labrador Sea. (Kike Calvo via AP Images)
Advertisement
Arctic ice shrinks to 2nd lowest level
Updated: Thursday, 15 Sep 2011, 2:18 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 15 Sep 2011, 2:18 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Snow and Ice Data Center says Arctic sea ice melted this summer to the second lowest level since scientists started keeping records more than 50 years ago.
The amount of ice covering the Arctic hit its lowest point late last week. Scientists calculated 1.67 million square miles of ice. Only in 2007 was there less summer sea ice, which has been dramatically declining since scientists began using satellites to monitor melt in 1979. Other records go back to 1953.
Each summer, sea ice melts and then refreezes starting in the fall. The summer minimum is a key measurement for scientists monitoring man-made global warming. This year's level is 36 percent below the average minimum of 2.59 million square miles.
Ground rules for posting comments: No profanity or personal attacks. No racially charged comments. If it's not something you would say to someone's face, it's most likely inappropriate. Please comment on the subject of the story itself. If you do not follow these rules, we will remove your post. Repeat offenders will be banned from making future comments. Keep it civil, folks! WANE is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section.
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single PageAdvertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
