Researchers from the University of Bremen have reported that on September 8, 2011, the Arctic ice extent reached a historic low, according to their calculations. They used high-resolution data from the microwave sensors on NASA’s “Aqua” satellite for this purpose.
The estimates from the University of Bremen researchers put the Arctic ice extent at 4.24 million km².
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the previous historic low occurred in September 2007. That year was the first time the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic was ice-free since the “Aqua” satellite began its recordings in 1978.
The Northwest Passage of Canada is ice-free again this year, while the Northern Sea Route of Russia has very weakened ice, allowing the passage of ships with the help of icebreakers. Meanwhile, dramatic changes have been reported in the “Petermann” glacier, north of Greenland.
The effects of planetary warming are clear, and the melting processes being recorded serve as the best evidence of climate change.
