Q: What is the current status of Antarctic sea ice?
A: According to U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Antarctic sea ice reached a record low surface
area of 16.96 million square kilometers on September 10, 2023, at its winter maximum.
Q: How significant is this low?
A: This is the lowest sea ice maximum in the recorded history from 1979 to 2023.
It is 1.03 million square kilometers smaller than the previous record.
Q: What is the winter maximum?
A: Sea ice in Antarctica typically expands to its largest size during the colder winter months.
The September 10 reading will likely remain the maximum size for this year.
Q: What about Arctic sea ice?
A: Arctic sea ice also shrank to a low of 4.23 million square kilometers, the sixth lowest minimum in 45 years of record-keeping.
Q: Has Antarctic sea ice been stable before this?
A: Antarctic sea ice had remained relatively stable, even expanding slightly, for several decades prior to this record low.
Q: Why is this significant?
A: Shrinking sea ice can have far-reaching impacts on global climate patterns, ocean currents, and marine ecosystems.
It is an indicator of climate change.
Q: Who reported these findings?
A: The findings were reported by the NSIDC, a government-supported program at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Q: What are scientists saying about it?
A: NSIDC scientist Walt Meier described it as a "record-smashing sea ice low in the Antarctic."
Q: Are similar trends observed elsewhere?
A: The Arctic sea ice also shows a trend of shrinking sizes, although it hasn't hit a record low this year.
Q: What actions are being taken to address this?
A: While the report does not specify actions, global initiatives aimed at reducing climate change may indirectly address sea ice loss
