Antarctic sea ice hits third-lowest winter maximum in satellite record
Antarctic sea ice reached its third-lowest winter maximum on record this September, continuing a trend of declining ice coverage over the past four years. Scientists warn that this consistent pattern is a clear indicator of a changing climate system.
Why it matters
The persistent decline in Antarctic sea ice is a critical indicator of global climate change and poses significant risks to marine ecosystems.
According to NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC), Antarctic sea ice likely reached its annual maximum extent for the year on September 14. On the date, the ice covered an estimated 17.59 million square kilometres, making it the third-lowest maximum on record. It has fallen a million square kilometres or almost 400,000 square miles short of the long-term average, as per scientists.Confirmation of the peak meant the four lowest years on record for the continent’s sea ice, a vital component of the planet’s climate and critical for marine life, had all occurred in the past four years.
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