Arctic alarm, the extent of sea ice to historic lows

(by Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi) Il Arctic sea ice it's at historical lows. Last 17 March, according to data released by NASA, it was the day when the ice covering the Arctic seareported an annual extension of 14,48 million square kilometers, it was the day on which the highest peak of the year was recorded. An extension that surpasses by itself 60 thousand square kilometers compared to the one recorded in the 2017 which had recorded the negative historical peak. So we are really at very low levels, just consider that we are below 1,16 millions of square kilometers of ice cover compared to average 1981-2010. As if to say that an equal area is missing from Germany, Spain and Italy combined. The satellite measurements Arctic sea ice levels began 39 years ago and have steadily decreased over time. In particular, the process has significantly accelerated in the last four years, with the most alarming values ever. Once again the causes seem to be to be found in the problem of global warming: even during the last winter the temperatures exceeded by 40% seasonal averages. In the month of February only, in some areas of theNorth Pole temperatures were recorded above the freezing point.

«Arctic sea ice extent continues to be on a decreasing trend, and this is linked to ongoing Arctic warming - explained thescientist Claire Parkinson of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center - there is a lot of year-to-year variability in both Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, but overall, until last year, trends in Antarctica for any single month were toward more sea ice. Last year was incredibly different, with major decreases in sea ice in Antarctica. To think that Antarctica's sea ice extent is actually hitting a record low now is certainly a data to be scrutinized, but it's too early to tell whether this year will mark a change in Antarctic sea ice behavior. It is tempting to say that the all-time low we are witnessing this year is due to global warming with which Antarctica is eventually catching up. However, this may just be an extreme swing in the annual cycle. It will take many more years of data to be able to tell that there has been a significant shift in the trend».

According to NASA it is said that in the summer period we can record equally negative levels even if the prospect that is expected is not too encouraging: «weather conditions they have a great impact on the level of melting ice, but it is guaranteed that this year will be lower than normal».

Arctic alarm, the extent of sea ice at an all-time low

Arctic alarm, the extent of sea ice at an all-time low

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