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Bering Sea Ice Map with QuikSCAT Wind
October 23, 2004 to March 21, 2005
Arctic Sea Ice Reduction
Loss in perennial sea ice extent was as large as Texas
Click the image to see an animation
Radar data from a NASA satellite between 2004 and 2005 has revealed an abrupt and
drastic reduction about the size of Texas in the extent of Arctic perennial sea ice,
which can be 10 or more feet thick and normally survives the summer melt season
and remains year round. Futhermore, the perennial ice has been mostly depleted from the
eastern Arctic Ocean. Primarily caused by wind forcing instead of summer melting,
these changes have significant implications for Arctic environment, navigation, and
resource exploration.
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