AMN
The Antarctic sea ice shrunk to a record low last week. US researchers said, it is its lowest extent in the 45 years of satellite record-keeping. The National Snow and Ice Data Center, NSIDC at the University of Colorado Boulder said, on February 21st Antarctica’s sea ice fell to 1.79 million square kilometers. This has surpassed the previous low record by 136,000 square kilometers, registered in 2022
Although these figures are preliminary, since further late-season melt is still a possibility, according to NSIDC scientists.
Melting sea ice exposes the thicker ice shelves buttressing Antarctica’s ground ice sheet to waves and warmer temperatures.
The high melt rate raises concerns that a significant downward trend may be taking a grip as it accelerates global warming.