Alarming Update: NASA Records 2023 Arctic Sea Ice as Sixth Lowest in History

This illustration, derived from satellite observations, reveals the concentration of sea ice as of September 19, 2023, which is anticipated to be the lowest annual extent for this year.

Satellite observations indicate that the Arctic sea ice probably arrived at its lowest annual extent on September 19, 2023.

According to studies by NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the Arctic sea ice reached its lowest annual extent on September 19, 2023, categorizing it as the sixth worst year in the history of satellite documentation.

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Importance and Quantification of Sea Ice

The variations in sea ice, both seasonal and yearly, are closely monitored by scientists due to its vital role in Earth’s polar ecosystems and its considerable influence on the global climate. Researchers at NSIDC and NASA utilize satellite technology to assess the sea ice during its cycles of melting and refreezing. The measurement of sea ice extent is characterized as the cumulative area of the ocean where the ice cover constitutes at least 15%. The illustration at the beginning of this article displays the sea ice extent as of September 19, 2023.

The graph provided illustrates the daily Arctic Sea Ice Extent, highlighting September 19, 2023, as the probable annual minimum extent for the current year.

Sea Ice Reduction in 2023

From March to September 2023, the ice coverage in the Arctic diminished from a peak area of 5.64 million square miles (14.62 million square kilometers) to 1.63 million square miles (4.23 million square kilometers). This is approximately 770,000 square miles (1.99 million square kilometers) below the 1981–2010 average minimum extent of 2.4 million square miles (6.22 million square kilometers). The volume of sea ice lost is enough to cover the entire landmass of the United States.

Transformations in the Arctic Region

In the Arctic this year, scientists noted conspicuously low amounts of ice in the Northwest Passage. Walt Meier, an NSIDC sea ice researcher, stated, “The area has become more accessible than in previous years.” Additionally, there is a noticeable increase in loose, less concentrated ice, even closer to the North Pole, and regions that used to maintain densely packed ice sheets through the summer. This phenomenon has become more common in recent years.

Meier clarified that these alterations are a fundamental, long-term reaction to increasing temperatures. Since the initiation of satellite tracking for ice in 1979, not only has sea ice been in decline in the Arctic, but it has also become younger. Earlier commencement of spring melting and increasingly later onset of autumn freezing result in extended melting seasons. Studies reveal that, averaged across the entire Arctic Ocean, freezing begins about a week later per decade, or one month later compared to 1979.

Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Trends in 2023

While the Arctic sea ice reached its probable annual minimum extent on September 19, 2023, Antarctic sea ice marked its record lowest maximum extent on September 10, at a time when the ice should have been expanding more rapidly during the darkest and coldest months. Credit goes to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio.

Monitoring Thickness and Long-Term Shifts in Sea Ice

Nathan Kurtz, the head of NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, noted that as the Arctic heats up at roughly four times the rate of the rest of the Earth, the ice is also becoming increasingly thin. “The thickness at the end of the growing season is a primary determinant of the sea ice’s resilience. Cutting-edge research employs satellites like NASA’s ICESat-2 to continually monitor ice thickness.”

Kurtz emphasized that enduring measurements of sea ice are crucial for analyzing real-time conditions at the poles. “At NASA, our focus is on state-of-the-art measurements, but we are also committed to linking them with historical data to better comprehend the driving forces behind these observed changes.”

Images from NASA Earth Observatory were produced by Lauren Dauphin, utilizing data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Arctic sea ice 2023

What is the main finding about Arctic sea ice in 2023?

The main finding is that the Arctic sea ice reached its lowest annual extent on September 19, 2023, making it the sixth lowest year in the satellite record, according to data from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).

What methods are used to track and measure sea ice?

Researchers at NSIDC and NASA use satellite technology to assess sea ice. They track the sea ice extent, defined as the total area of the ocean where the ice cover fraction is at least 15%.

How has the Arctic sea ice changed between March and September 2023?

Between these months, the ice coverage shrank from a peak area of 5.64 million square miles to 1.63 million square miles. This is approximately 770,000 square miles below the 1981–2010 average minimum extent.

What are the implications of reduced sea ice for global climate?

Reduced sea ice plays a significant role in global climate change because sea ice shapes Earth’s polar ecosystems and influences global climate patterns.

Who are the key experts cited in the article?

Key experts include researchers from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), specifically Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NSIDC, and Nathan Kurtz, lab chief of NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory.

What long-term trends in Arctic sea ice are noted?

The long-term trends indicate that the Arctic sea ice has not only been declining but also getting younger. Additionally, the start of spring melting is occurring earlier, and the autumn freeze-up is happening later, leading to longer melting seasons.

Are there any other polar regions discussed?

Yes, the Antarctic sea ice is also mentioned. It reached its lowest maximum extent on record on September 10, at a time when it should have been expanding more rapidly.

What technology is being used for new research on sea ice thickness?

New research is using satellites like NASA’s ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2) to monitor how thick the ice is year-round.

What does the article indicate about changes in the Northwest Passage?

The article states that scientists noted conspicuously low amounts of ice in the Northwest Passage, making the area more accessible than in previous years.

How is NASA contributing to the study of sea ice?

NASA is focused on taking state-of-the-art measurements of sea ice and linking them to historical data to better understand the driving forces behind the observed changes.