Arctic sea ice has apparently reached its 2008 summer minimum. On September 12th the National Snow and Ice Data Center recorded the ice at .52 million square kilometers (1.74 million square miles). This is the second lowest minimum, 150,000 square miles more than last years record setting low. Over the last few days the ice has started to refreeze in response to autumn's arrival.
The top three lowest sea ice events have occurred in the last five years. This underscores the dramatic changes that are taking place at the top of the world due to climate change. The record was set this summer despite the overall cooler conditions in the Arctic.
The NSIDC attains its measurements from imagery and microwave data from satellites maintained by NASA and the government of the United States. Since the satellite era began in 1979, this record is based on roughly 30 years of data.
By Warren Hohmann
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