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2016 marks a new record low for the Arctic sea ice wintertime extent. \u00a0Frozen seawater at the top of the Arctic Ocean melts during the spring and summer and reforms during the fall and winter. \u00a0Sometime between February and April, the frozen seawater reaches its maximum yearly extent. \u00a0In 2016, that happened on March 24. \u00a0However, this year\u2019s maximum extent is the lowest it has ever been (5.607 million square miles). \u00a0There was a slight decrease from 2015\u2019s maximum extent (5.612 million square miles), which was the record low. \u00a0Over the past 3.5 decades, about 620,000 square miles of frozen seawater have been lost. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are a few reasons for this continued record lowering of the maximum extents. \u00a0One has to do with wind patterns – January and February\u2019s wind patterns consisted of bringing warm air from the south to the Arctic, making ice cover expansion difficult. \u00a0Another reason for this record low is that the ocean is also growing warmer, which is not allowing the ice to extend as far as it used to. <\/span><\/p>\n This pattern is of great concern because the Arctic is essential in regulating the Earth\u2019s temperature. \u00a0Its surface reflects the sun (solar energy) instead of the ocean absorbing it. \u00a0The loss of sea ice causes more areas to be open water, which will cause more heat to be put into the atmosphere. \u00a0A climate scientist at Rutgers University, Jennifer Francis, said \u201c […] As winter sea ice disappears, areas of unusually warm air temperatures in the Arctic will expand. \u00a0These are also areas of increased evaporation, and the resulting water vapor will contribute to increased cloudiness, which in winter, further warms the surface.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The implications of this phenomenon are clear and dangerous. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source: \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2016\/03\/160328195126.htm<\/span><\/a> 2016 marks a new record low for the Arctic sea ice wintertime extent. \u00a0Frozen seawater at the top of the Arctic Ocean melts during the spring and summer and reforms during the fall and winter. \u00a0Sometime between February … Continue reading
\nScience Daily is a great way to stay up to date on current research regarding a number of interesting topics. \u00a0I\u2019d encourage you all to check it out when you have the time!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"