Scientists have revealed that sea ice levels in Antarctica have plummeted to a stunningly low historic record.
The current expanse of ocean ice around the southernmost continent stands at less than 6.5 million square miles (17 million square kilometers), according to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center.
This is a decline of 580,000 square miles (1.5 million square kilometers) from the average for September, equivalent to five times the size of the British Isles.
Researchers have determined that this summer’s Antarctic ice levels during the southern hemisphere’s summer were the lowest ever observed. A diminishing sea ice level threatens the habitats of penguins, seals, and other Antarctic wildlife and contributes to rising global sea levels.
Walter Mayer, a lead researcher at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, told the BBC, “It’s beyond anything we’ve seen. It’s almost astonishing.”
Located at the world’s southern extremity, Antarctica is a landmass engulfed by ice in the Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean.
Although Antarctica itself is a solid landmass, the surrounding ocean waters are also frozen, making the continent appear larger than it is in actuality. This sea ice extends furthest north in winter and almost retracts to the coastline every summer as temperatures fluctuate.
This surrounding ice is known as the “sea ice extent.” Climate scientists consistently monitor this ice’s range throughout the seasons, comparing its volume with the same months in previous years to discern its changing patterns.
They believe the sea ice around Antarctica is vital as it reflects sunlight, helping keep polar regions cool.
Without this icy covering, dark patches of the ocean are exposed, which absorb sunlight rather than reflect it. This absorption subsequently heats the region, expediting further ice loss.
Naturally, melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, leading scientists to fear that major cities worldwide could face inundation within this century.
