The rapid ice melt began much earlier than usual this year. Arctic ice melting usually slows in August and then reaches its annual low point by September. But 2012 is already set to see a lowest-ever melting point by mid-August -- with no sign of the melting slowing.
"The numbers are coming in and we are looking at them with a sense of amazement," said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the university. "If the melt were to just suddenly stop today, we would be at the third lowest in the satellite record. We've still got another two weeks of melt to go, so I think we're very likely to set a new record."
Read full story: https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/08/22
"The numbers are coming in and we are looking at them with a sense of amazement," said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the university. "If the melt were to just suddenly stop today, we would be at the third lowest in the satellite record. We've still got another two weeks of melt to go, so I think we're very likely to set a new record."
Read full story: https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/08/22