2024-04-21 21:58:57
Although the sea ice of the Arctic shrinks in summer and freezes again in winter, logically, Now a recent study has discovered that the ice is becoming less extensive in this area of the planet.
Specifically, this has been pointed out by a team of scientists from the University of Colorado, who has discovered that ice melts more than normal in summer and freezes less than normal in winter.
In fact, they estimate that the first “ice-free” period in the Arctic could happen by the end of this decade.
And this is a big problem for humans, because without ice it means that the oceans will warm faster, more ice sheets will melt. and therefore temperatures will be higher and we will suffer a greater number of heat waves per year.
While sea ice typically reaches its smallest extent in September after summer heat has melted it, both summer and winter ice are getting smaller.
In fact, according to NASA, on September 19, 2023 the Arctic recorded its lowest minimum ice extent since the area began to be tracked with satellites.
Based on this new analysis, researchers predict that the first “ice-free” conditions could occur in September at the end of this decade.
In any case, “ice-free” does not mean that the area is completely free of ice, but rather it means that the ocean would have less than 1 million square kilometers of ice coverage.
They comment that this ice contraction will occur regardless of the emissions scenario, that is, that a historic minimum of ice will be reached in the Arctic even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
By 2027 they estimate that the Arctic would be frequently ice-free, not only in September, but also between August and October.
By: COMPUTER TODAY