Arctic ice melts at an alarming rate, and the prospect of its complete disappearance in the coming decades is increasingly real. This phenomenon is directly related to global warming, which affects the ice sheet floating on the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas. The situation is more serious than initially thought: not only is the young ice, which is only a few years old, affected, but Old ice is also in danger of extinction.
Measuring Arctic ice extent is a complex issue due to the lack of accurate data. To address this issue, NASA researchers have implemented an innovative analytical method developed by the University of Colorado, which allows monitoring the ice from 1984 to the present. This analysis includes the measurement of various parameters, such as temperature, salinity, texture and thickness of the layer of snow covering the ice, using satellite passive microwave instruments. For more information on this issue, see how the melting ice in the Arctic is affecting other regions of the planet.
Using this technology, scientists have created an animation illustrating the growth and contraction of Arctic ice over the past 32 years, visually demonstrating the impact of climate change.
It's important to note that the amount of ice in the Arctic is not constant. Each year, it increases during the winter and decreases during the summer, a natural cycle. The ice that survives the winter can grow significantly: in the first few years, it can increase by 1 to 3 meters, and the oldest ice can reach a thickness of up to 4 meters. oldest ice It is usually more resistant to the impacts of waves and storms; however, is not protected against rising temperaturesFor more information on ice conditions, you can read about how Arctic ice also melts in winter.
NASA Goddard researcher Walt Meier stated that a large portion of the Arctic's oldest ice has been lost. In 1980, multi-year ice accounted for more than 20% of the total ice cover. However, today, this percentage has dropped dramatically to only 3%. If this trend continues, the Arctic is likely to experience ice-free summers in the near future, which would have catastrophic consequences for the environment. To better understand the impact of the loss of this ice, it is appropriate to read about the consequences of melting in the Arctic.
Evidence of Climate Change
Images and data collected by NASA reveal the undeniable impact of climate change. A video released by the agency shows how Arctic Ocean ice has shrunk over the past three decades. In September 1984, the oldest ice covered approximately 1.860.000 square kilometers, but by 2016 that number had dropped to just 110.000 square kilometersThis melting is not only worrying because of the amount of ice lost, but also because of its quality. To better understand the impact of the melting, consult the .
This thawing phenomenon is a consequence of the rising temperatures, especially during the summer, a period when the older ice, which should be thicker and more resistant to melting, is increasingly threatened. Now, the sea ice cover is considerably more vulnerable to warming both from the atmosphere and the ocean. In addition, the thawing of Arctic permafrost It is also raising concerns about trapped methane that could be released into the environment.
An alarming fact is that with each passing year, Arctic sea ice not only shrinks in area, but also becomes thinner and younger. This situation creates a vicious cycle that further complicates ice recovery, as thinner ice melts more quickly, further contributing to rising global temperatures. To learn more about this cycle, you can read about how Melting ice in the Southern Ocean can affect cloud formation.
NASA Observations and Results
NASA has been studying the evolution of Arctic ice using a variety of innovative techniques. For example, researchers have developed an approach that tracks the movement of ice as it moves across the ocean, allowing scientists to trace the ice until it melts or moves away from the Arctic.
In addition, the analysis includes measurements of the brightness temperature emitted by sea ice. This measurement, influenced by temperature, salinity, and texture, provides valuable information on the health of the ice. However, it is important to note that direct measurements of ice thickness are sporadic, which has led scientists to use estimates based on data from various sources to monitor its evolution. This becomes vital to understanding the ongoing transformation of ice in the Arctic and how this may affect distant locations, as you can read in the article about How the melting of the Arctic affects Spain.
The loss of ice in the Arctic is a clear indicator of the effects of climate change. Data collected by NASA since satellite measurements began in the 1970s show that changes in the region are likely unprecedented in at least 1000 years. The proportion of multi-year ice is estimated to have decreased by nearly 90%, indicating a dramatic shift toward younger, less resilient ice.
Arctic ice is not only melting, but also undergoing a transformation that could have disastrous consequences for the planet's climate. The disappearance of sea ice not only affects the region's fauna and flora, as has been observed in the case of polar bears, but also impacts the global climate because ice plays a crucial role in regulating the planet's temperatures. To learn more about the danger this poses, you can read about the danger of melting Antarctica for humanity.
