Arctic on thinnest ice ever

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Arctic on thinnest ice ever

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uploaded by Barry ORegan

If this is true and just the tip of the iceberg of things to come, perhaps this is one reason why the Arctic is becoming more attractive for global companies looking to get ships in with ease in order to exploit the Arctics resources.  One wonders.

url="http://www.ottawasun.com/News/2007/08/18/4427159-sun.html"]WASHINGTON -- Arctic sea ice has sunk to its lowest level on record, and researchers warn it's only going to get worse with another month left in the "melt season."

U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center satellite measurements yesterday showed 5.2 million sq. km of Arctic ice, breaking the previous low of 5.3 on Sept. 21, 2005.

While there's some natural variability in the melting, "we simply can't explain everything through natural processes," said senior research scientist Mark Serreze.

"It is very strong evidence that we are starting to see an effect of greenhouse warming."

LOW IN CANADA

Sea ice is particularly low in the East Siberian side of the Arctic, the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska and in the Canadian Archipelago.

Unusually clear skies have prevailed in June and July, allowing in more sunshine when the sun is highest in the Arctic sky and leading to a high amount of solar energy being pumped onto the ice surface. Strong winds have also brought in warm air from the south.

If current melting rates continue, Serreze warned of a total Arctic melt by 2030. There would still be ice in the winter, but not in the summer. [/q]