Area and thickness determines state of Arctic ice

William Atkins
Tuesday, 07 April 2009 18:20

Science - Climate

According to satellite data from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, it is important to consider both the area of sea ice cover in the Arctic, along with its thickness. It both cases, they're shrinking!


The South Pole region has been recently in the news because an ice bridge connecting the Wilkins Ice Shelf between Charcot Island and Latady Island was threatening to collapse. And, just a few days ago it did collapse.

With the barrier now gone, ice can move more freely into the open ocean on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, located in the South Pole region of Earth.

Now, on the North Pole region of Earth, NASA reports in “Satellites Show Arctic Literally On Thin Ice” that there has been a decade trend of decreasing sea ice cover in the Arctic. The amount of “area” is continuing to decrease.

The NASA article states, “Arctic sea ice works like an air conditioner for the global climate system. Ice naturally cools air and water masses, plays a key role in ocean circulation, and reflects solar radiation back into space. In recent years, Arctic sea ice has been declining at a surprising rate."

Sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic are large areas of pack ice formed from seawater. The sea ice, or polar ice packs, of the Arctic region form from the Arctic Ocean, and the Antarctic ice pack from the Southern Ocean.

These ice packs vary during the seasons, but a recent trend has shown a steady melting of the ice, thus reducing its overall area.

Now, NASA states that satellite data shows that the Arctic ice cap is also thinning.

Page two explains more.