The linear regression line in blue shows the declining extent of arctic sea over the past thirty years. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado early or extended melting caused by atmospheric temperatures rising appears to be one of the factors contributing to the sharp decline of summer sea ice. Compared to average conditions in 1979 to 2000 this years melt started a week early in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Kara seas and more than two weeks early in the East Greenland and Barents seas. Projections of summer sea ice extent are showing a level at or near the 2007 record.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Chart of the Week: Endless Summer
The linear regression line in blue shows the declining extent of arctic sea over the past thirty years. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado early or extended melting caused by atmospheric temperatures rising appears to be one of the factors contributing to the sharp decline of summer sea ice. Compared to average conditions in 1979 to 2000 this years melt started a week early in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Kara seas and more than two weeks early in the East Greenland and Barents seas. Projections of summer sea ice extent are showing a level at or near the 2007 record.