New Delhi: NASA plus the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) report that at least 4.28 million square kilometres (1.65 million square miles) of Arctic sea ice has melted by September 11, 2024, marking the seventh-lowest level in recorded history. This extent reflected the continuing trend of thinner and declining ice cover owing to rising temperatures, and it was much less than the average of 6.22 million square kilometres (2.4 million square miles) from 1981 to 2010.
Since the 1970s, satellite data has shown that the amount of Arctic ice has been steadily decreasing, losing about 77,800 square kilometres (30,000 square miles) year. The long-term pattern continues to demonstrate growing ice loss, even while the 2024 extent remained above the record low of 3.39 million square kilometres established in 2012. The majority of Arctic ice is now made up of thin, first-year ice that is less resistant to summer melting, according to experts, who have also seen a notable decline in multi-year ice.
Temperature Warming and Ice Thinning
Scientists have noticed that Arctic sea ice is getting thinner and younger in addition to shrinking in size. According to satellite altimeter data, the central Arctic’s ice thickness has drastically decreased, from 2.7 meters (8.8 feet) in 1980 to around 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) now. The effects of warming in the area, where temperatures are rising four times faster than the world average, are exacerbated by thinner ice, which is more susceptible to melting.
Near-Record Lows for Antarctic Sea Ice
Antarctic sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere also came dangerously close to record lows in 2024. On September 19, the ice covered 17.16 million square kilometres (6.63 million square miles), which was slightly more than the record low of 16.96 million square kilometres established in 2023. The extent this year was around 1.55 million square kilometres less than the average Antarctic sea ice increase from 1981 to 2010.
After a period of relative stability that lasted until 2014, Antarctic sea ice began to rapidly disappear. Since then, there has been a dramatic decline in ice growth, which has sparked worries about a long-term change in the temperature of the Southern Ocean.
Impacts of Global Warming Compounding
Ice loss has set off a hazardous feedback cycle in both polar regions. Darker ocean water absorbs more solar radiation as reflecting sea ice melts, warming the water and slowing the formation of new ice, therefore speeding up global warming.
