A Canadian research station recorded a record high temperature in the Arctic of 22C, which is about 72F. The record is 15 degrees Celsius above the long term average for Melville Island, usually one of the coldest places in North America. The heat is melting the permafrost causing huge mudslides. A visiting scientist said, "The landscape was being torn to pieces, literally before our eyes." On August 21st of this year the long sought Northwest Passage was opened to ordinary ship passage for the first time since records began.