Map displaying the extent of Antarctic sea ice as of September 10, 2023.
Satellite observations reveal that the maximum extent of Antarctic sea ice reached an all-time low on September 10, 2023.
On September 10, the sea ice in Antarctica recorded its lowest maximum extent ever, during a period when rapid ice growth should have been occurring due to the season’s frigid and dark conditions.
According to scientists from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the winter maximum extent of sea ice around Antarctica on September 10, 2023, was 6.5 million square miles (16.96 million square kilometers). This is 398,000 square miles (1.03 million square kilometers) less than the prior lowest record, set in 1986, a discrepancy roughly equivalent to the combined size of Texas and California. The mean maximum extent from 1981 to 2010 was 7.22 million square miles (18.71 million square kilometers).
Graph highlighting Antarctic Daily Sea Ice Extent as of September 10, 2023.
Table of Contents
Underlying Factors and Implications
The map featured at the beginning of this page illustrates the extent of Antarctic sea ice as of September 10, 2023. Walt Meier, an NSIDC sea ice scientist, stated, “There is a record-setting low level of sea ice across nearly the entire Antarctic, rather than in any specific region.”
Researchers are in the process of ascertaining the reasons behind this lackluster sea ice growth. Various contributing elements could include the El Niño phenomenon, changes in wind circulation, and rising ocean temperatures. Recent studies indicate that oceanic heat is likely a significant factor in reducing the formation of ice during the colder seasons and accelerating its melting during warmer periods.
Arctic sea ice reached its annual minimum extent on September 19, 2023, making it the sixth lowest year as per the satellite data, confirm NASA and NSIDC researchers. Similarly, Antarctic sea ice has reached a record low maximum extent on September 10, during a time when accelerated ice growth should have been the norm owing to the severe cold and absence of sunlight. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio.
Long-term Trends and Climatic Repercussions
The exceptionally low sea ice extent recorded in 2023 continues the declining trend in Antarctic sea ice since it reached a record high in 2014. Prior to that year, sea ice around the continent had been showing a slight increase of approximately 1% per decade.
The phenomenon of sea ice melt at both the Arctic and Antarctic poles amplifies global warming through a mechanism known as “ice-albedo feedback.” Bright sea ice reflects most of the sun’s radiation back into space, whereas open ocean absorbs approximately 90% of it. The increased exposure of the ocean to solar radiation allows for greater heat absorption, further inhibiting the formation of sea ice.
Images provided by NASA Earth Observatory, utilizing data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Antarctic sea ice
What date is cited for the record-low Antarctic sea ice extent?
The record-low maximum extent of Antarctic sea ice was observed on September 10, 2023.
Which organizations provided the data for Antarctic sea ice extent?
The data on Antarctic sea ice extent comes from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
Who is Walt Meier and what did he contribute to this report?
Walt Meier is a sea ice scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). He stated that the low level of sea ice is a record-setting phenomenon affecting nearly the entire Antarctic continent.
What factors are considered responsible for the reduced sea ice growth?
Researchers are looking into a combination of factors that could be responsible for the reduced sea ice growth, including the El Niño phenomenon, changes in wind patterns, and rising ocean temperatures.
What is the significance of the “ice-albedo feedback” mechanism?
The “ice-albedo feedback” mechanism refers to the cycle in which melting sea ice contributes to global warming. Bright sea ice reflects most of the Sun’s energy back to space, whereas open ocean water absorbs approximately 90% of it. This leads to increased ocean temperatures and further delays in sea ice formation.
How does the sea ice extent in 2023 relate to historical trends?
The record-low extent observed in 2023 continues a downward trend in Antarctic sea ice that began after a record high in 2014. Before 2014, sea ice around the continent had been slowly increasing by about 1% per decade.
What is the size comparison used to understand the record-low sea ice extent?
The record-low extent is 398,000 square miles (1.03 million square kilometers) less than the previous record-low set in 1986. This difference is roughly equivalent to the combined size of Texas and California.
Are both Antarctic and Arctic sea ice extents at record lows?
While Antarctic sea ice reached a record-low maximum extent, the Arctic sea ice extent for 2023 was the sixth lowest in the satellite record.
What is the average maximum extent of Antarctic sea ice between 1981 and 2010?
The average maximum extent of Antarctic sea ice from 1981 to 2010 was 7.22 million square miles (18.71 million square kilometers).
How are the observations credited?
The observations are credited to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and its Scientific Visualization Studio, using data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
More about Antarctic sea ice
- NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
- National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
- Study on Ice-Albedo Feedback Mechanism
- El Niño and Its Impact on Sea Ice
- Historical Trends in Antarctic Sea Ice
- Global Warming and Its Effects on Polar Ice
- Climatic Repercussions of Melting Ice
- Oceanic Temperature Rise and Sea Ice
10 comments
What are the world leaders doing? This should be priority number one! Time for action, not words.
Wow, this is alarming. never thought i’d see the day when both poles are melting at this rate. whats next?
Can we stop debating if climate change is real now? These are hard facts. And they are scary.
If Texas and California combined is the difference, that’s massive. Can’t even wrap my head around it.
Didn’t antarctic ice used to grow before 2014? Shows you how quick things can turn for the worse.
Sixth lowest for the Arctic too? Man, we’re really messing up both ends of the Earth.
El Nino, wind patterns, ocean temps – seems like a perfect storm for disaster. Hope the scientists figure out how to reverse this soon.
A record low, again? We seriously need to address climate change, like now. This isn’t a drill people.
The part about ice-albedo feedback is freaky. So the more ice melts, the worse it gets? that’s a vicious cycle if ive ever heard one.
Kudos to NASA and NSIDC for keeping track of this. The first step to solving a problem is understanding it, right?