Sea ice is a type of frozen water that forms when seawater freezes. It can be found in both polar regions and at high altitudes in the Earth’s temperate zones. Sea ice covers a large area of the Earth’s surface and plays an important role in the global climate system.
There are two main types of sea ice: first-year ice, which forms from new seawater freezes, and multi-year ice, which is made up of olderice that has been through one or more melting and freezing cycles. First-year ice is thinner and less stable than multi-year ice.
Sea ice helps regulate the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight back into space and moderating the exchange of heat between the ocean and atmosphere. It also affects global ocean circulation patterns and provides habitat for a variety of marine life.
The extent of sea ice varies seasonally and over longer time periods as part of natural climate variability. In recent years, however, there has been a decrease in Arctic sea ice due to human-caused climate change. This decline is expected to continue in the coming decades with potentially profound consequences for the Earth’s climate system and its impact on humans