Arctic sea ice ties 2008 for 10th-lowest level on record: NASA

By Simgenur Akbolat

ISTANBUL (AA) - Arctic sea ice coverage reached its yearly minimum extent on Sept. 10, tying with 2008 for the 10th-lowest level since satellite records began in 1978, NASA said Wednesday.

Scientists at NASA and the US National Snow and Ice Data Center measured total sea ice coverage at 1.78 million square miles (4.6 million square kilometers).

“While this year’s Arctic sea ice area did not set a record low, it’s consistent with the downward trend,” said Nathan Kurtz, chief of NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory at Goddard Space Flight Center.

The lowest extent ever recorded was in 2012.

Arctic ice typically reaches its minimum each September as the Northern Hemisphere summer ends.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Antarctic sea ice is nearing its annual maximum but remains below average.

“This year looks lower than average,” Kurtz said, noting coverage has stayed well below pre-2016 levels.

Sea ice scientist Walt Meier said “it’s not yet clear whether lower ice coverage in the Antarctic will persist. For now, we’re keeping an eye on it.”