Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2015 with Area Graph

Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its before colder weather begins to cause ice cover to increase. This graph displays the area of the minimum sea ice coverage each year from 1979 through 2022. In 2022, the Arctic minimum sea ice covered an area of 4.16 million square kilometers (1.6 million square miles). This visualization shows the expanse of the annual minimum Arctic sea ice for each year from 1979 through 2022 as derived from passive microwave data. || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, graph only (animation has 5 seconds of lead-in to sync with background) || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, by year (each year accessible through dropdown menu) || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, by year, no dates (each year accessible through dropdown menu) || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, animation, no dates || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, by year, dates only (each year accessible through dropdown menu) || Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, with graph

Arctic sea ice minimum 1979-2021, with graph || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. || Arctic sea ice minimum 1979-2021, graph only || Arctic sea ice minimum 1979-2021, background only || Arctic sea ice minimum 1979-2021, by year (each year accessible through dropdown menu)

Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2020, With Graph || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. || Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2020, By Year, With Dates || Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2020, By Year, No Dates

Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019, With Graph || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. The date shown in the upper right corner indicates the current year being displayed. || Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019, No Graph || Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019, Graph Only || Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019, By Year

Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area, With Graph || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. The date shown in the upper right corner indicates the current year being displayed. || Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum, No Graph || Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area, Hyperwall SIze || Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area, Print Resolution Still || Non-interpolated Yearly Sea Ice Area Sequence, Stationary Camera

A visualization of the annual minimum Arctic sea ice from 1979 to 2016 with a graph overlay. (fast playback)This video is also available on our YouTube channel. || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its visualization above || This is sequence of still images consisting of one image per year. The file names include the year of each image.

This animation shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum with a graph overlay that depicts the area of the sea ice in millions of square kilometers. || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. The date shown in the upper right corner indicates the current year being displayed. || This animation shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum from 1979 through 2014 with a date. || The graph overlay with transparency showing the annual sea ice area in millions of square kilometers || The date overlay with transparency || An image of the Arctic sea ice minimum on September 21, 1979 || An image of the Arctic sea ice minimum on September 18, 2014

The Earth showing the annual minimum sea ice with a graph overlay showing the annual minimum sea ice area in millions of square kilometers. || Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice since 1979. Every summer the Arctic ice cap melts down to what scientists call its s minimum day. The date shown in the upper right corner indicates the current year being displayed. || The Earth showing the annual sea ice minimum with a date overlay. || The graph overlay with transparency.

Animation of Annual Minimum Sea Ice Extent over the Arctic from 1979 to 2012. (Final Composite.)This video is also available on our YouTube channel. || The National Climate Assessment (NCA) is a central component of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). Every four years, the NCA is required to produce a report for Congress that integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the USGCRP; analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years. A draft of the Third National Climate Assessment report is available on the Federal Advisory Committee website. The final report is slated to be released in 2014. This scientific visualization of annual minimum sea ice area over the Arctic from 1979-2012 is one element of the NCA that highlights findings conveyed in the chapters of the draft Third NCA report. This record shows a persistent decline in the minimum extent of Arctic sea ice cover. The satellite observations are from passive microwave sensors and processed using the NASA Team algorithm developed by scientists at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The sensors that collected the data are the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) on the NASA Nimbus-7 satellite and a series of Special Sensor Microwave Imagers (SSM/I) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager and Sounders (SSMIS) on U.S. Department of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. The data from the different sensors are carefully assembled to assure consistency throughout the 34 year record.This visualization is similar to another developed by NASA, but is based on a slightly different algorithm to process the same sensor data. Both show similar downward trends in minimum sea ice area coverage over this time period. || Animated graph showing Annual Minimum Sea Ice Extent over the Arctic from 1979 to 2012. This animation sequence is used as an overlay synchronized with the background earth for the final composite. || Animation depicting Arctic September minimum sea ice extents from 1979 to 2012 (without year annotations). This animation sequence is used as the background for the final composite with the graph overlay. || Animation depicting Arctic September minimum sea ice extents from 1979 to 2012. This animation has a small annotated year in the upperleft corner corresponding with the relevant minimum sea ice extent for that year. || Print resolution still of the 1979 September minimum sea ice extent in the Arctic. || Print resolution still of the 2012 September minimum sea ice extent in the Arctic.

This animation shows a semi-transparent graph of the annual minimum area of sea ice in millions of square kilometers. The background shows the annual minimum sea ice concentration over the arctic for each year from 1979 through 2012. || The continued significant reduction in the area covered by the summer sea ice is a dramatic illustration of the pronounced impact increased global temperatures are having on the Arctic regions. There has also been a significant reduction in the relative amount of older, thicker ice. Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice cover have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice cover since 1979. The ice parameters derived from satellite ice concentration data that are most relevant to climate change studies are sea ice extent and ice area. This visualization shows the annual September minimum sea ice area in the background and a graph of the ice area values foreground. The ice area provides the total area actually covered by sea ice which is useful for estimating the total volume and therefore mass, given the average ice thickness. For more information about these ice datasets, see The Journal of Geophysical Research VOL. 113, C02S07, doi:10.1029/2007JC004257, 2008This visualization shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum from 1979 to 2012. A semi-transparent graph is overlaid that shows the area in million square kilometers for each year data points are highlighted on the graph.For high resolution still images of the 1979 and 2012 September sea ice minimum, see visualization #3998. || The graph alone with transparency. || The Arctic with yearly minimum sea ice with dates. || The Arctic with yearly minimum sea ice || The date overlay with transparency.

The Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area from 1979 to 2011 with the a graph overlay. || The continued significant reduction in the area covered by the summer sea ice is a dramatic illustration of the pronounced impact increased global temperatures are having on the Arctic regions. There has also been a significant reduction in the relative amount of older, thicker ice. Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice cover have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the Arctic ice cover since 1979. The ice parameters derived from satellite ice concentration data that are most relevant to climate change studies are sea ice extent and ice area. This visualization shows the annual September minimum sea ice area in the background and a graph of the ice area values foreground. The ice area provides the total area actually covered by sea ice which is useful for estimating the total volume and therefore mass, given the average ice thickness. For more information about these ice datasets, see The Journal of Geophysical Research VOL. 113, C02S07, doi:10.1029/2007JC004257, 2008This visualization shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum from 1979 to 2011. A graph is overlaid that shows the area in million square kilometers for each year data points are highlighted on the graph. || Minimum Annual Sea Ice Sequence from 1979 through 2011 without the graph overlay. || The graph overlay with transparency || An image of the 2011 arctic sea ice minimum with the graph overlay at various resolutions. || An image of the 2011 arctic sea ice minimum at various resolutions.

Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum from 1979 to 2010 with the first dataset, the current dataset, and the lowest dataset highlighted. || The continued significant reduction in the extent of the summer sea ice cover is a dramatic illustration of the pronounced impact increased global temperatures are having on the Arctic regions. There has also been a significant reduction in the relative amount of older, thicker ice. Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice cover have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the extent of the Arctic ice cover since 1979. The ice parameters derived from satellite ice concentration data that are most relevant to climate change studies are sea ice extent and ice area. This visualization shows ice extent in the background and ice area in the foreground. Ice extent is defined here as the integrated sum of the areas of data elements (pixels) with at least 15% ice concentration while ice area is the integrated sum of the products of the area of each pixel and the corresponding ice concentration. Ice extent provides information about how far south (or north) the ice extends in winter and how far north (or south) it retreats toward the continent in the summer while the ice area provides the total area actually covered by sea ice which is useful for estimating the total volume and therefore mass, given the average ice thickness. For more information about these ice datasets, see The Journal of Geophysical Research VOL. 113, C02S07, doi:10.1029/2007JC004257, 2008 In 2007, Arctic summer sea ice reached its lowest extent on record - nearly 25% less than the previous low set in 2005. At the end of each summer, the sea ice cover reaches its minimum extent and what is left is what is called the perennial ice cover which consists mainly of thick multi-year ice flows. The area of the perennial ice has been steadily decreasing since the satellite record began in 1979, at a rate of about 10% per decade.This visualization shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum from 1979 to 2010. A graph is overlaid that shows the area in million square kilometers for each year s minimum day. The 1979, 2007, and 2010 data points are highlighted on the graph. || Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum from 1979 to 2010 with alldata represented uniformly on the graph overlay. || Minimum Annual Sea Ice Sequence from 1979 through 2010 without any overlay. || Overlay sequence: highlighted graph showing annual trend from 1979 to 2010. || Overlay sequence: plain graph showing annual trend from 1979 to 2010. || September 6, 2009 : Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2009 || September 17, 2010 : Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2010

Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum from 1979 to 2008. || The continued significant reduction in the extent of the summer sea ice cover is a dramatic illustration of the pronounced impact increased global temperatures are having on the Arctic regions. There has also been a significant reduction in the relative amount of older, thicker ice. Satellite-based passive microwave images of the sea ice cover have provided a reliable tool for continuously monitoring changes in the extent of the Arctic ice cover since 1979. The ice parameters derived from satellite ice concentration data that are most relevant to climate change studies are sea ice extent and ice area. This visualization shows ice extent in the background and ice area in the foreground. Ice extent is defined here as the integrated sum of the areas of data elements (pixels) with at least 15% ice concentration while ice area is the integrated sum of the products of the area of each pixel and the corresponding ice concentration. Ice extent provides information about how far south (or north) the ice extends in winter and how far north (or south) it retreats toward the continent in the summer while the ice area provides the total area actually covered by sea ice which is useful for estimating the total volume and therefore mass, given the average ice thickness. For more information about these ice datasets, see The Journal of Geophysical Research VOL. 113, C02S07, doi:10.1029/2007JC004257, 2008 || Overlay sequence: graph showing annual trend from 1979 to 2008. || Minimum Sea Ice Sequence with Date Overlay from 1979 to 2008. || Minimum Sea Ice Sequence from 1979 to 2008. This image is the Arctic sea ice minimum area during the week of September 12, 2008. || Date Overlay from 1979 to 2008. || 21 September 1979 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1979 || 05 September 1980 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1980 || 10 September 1981 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1981 || 17 September 1982 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1982 || 18 September 1983 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1983 || 16 September 1984 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1984 || 07 September 1985 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1985 || 06 September 1986 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1986 || 02 September 1987 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1987 || 12 September 1988 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1988 || 23 September 1989 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1989 || 19 September 1990 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1990 || 16 September 1991 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1991 || 04 September 1992 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1992 || 11 September 1993 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1993 || 05 September 1994 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1994 || 01 October 1995 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1995 || 10 September 1996 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1996 || 19 September 1997 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1997 || 12 September 1998 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1998 || 11 September 1999 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1999 || 11 September 2000 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2000 || 19 September 2001 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2001 || 12 September 2002 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2002 || 11 September 2003 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2003 || 11 September 2004 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2004 || 21 September 2005 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2005 || 14 September 2006 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2006 || 14 September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum

Annual Arctic sea ice minimum for 1979 to 2007 || In 2007, Arctic summer sea ice reached its lowest extent on record - nearly 25% less than the previous low set in 2005. At the end of each summer, the sea ice cover reaches its minimum extent and what is left is what is called the perennial ice cover which consists mainly of thick multi-year ice floes. The area of the perennial ice has been steadily decreasing since the satellite record began in 1979, at a rate of about 10% per decade. But the 2007 minimum, reached on September 14, is far below the previous record made in 2005 and is about 38% lower than the climatological average. Such a dramatic loss has implications for ecology, climate and industry as new shipping lanes open.This visualization shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum from 1979 to 2007. A graph is overlaid that shows the area in million square kilometers for each year s minimum day. The previous record and the 2007 record are highlighted. || Overlay sequence: graph showing annual decline from 1979 to 2007 || Overlay still: Minimum Arctice sea ice area trend from 1979 to 2007 || Overlay still: average Arctic aea ice concentration (filled) from 1979 to 2007 || Overlay still: average Arctic aea ice concentration (outline) from 1979 to 2007 || Print resolution still showing the 14 Sept 2007 sea ice minimum record and an overlay graph showing previous years || 14 September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2007 (record minimum) || 14 September 2006 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2006 || 21 September 2005 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2005 || 11 September 2004 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2004 || 11 September 2003 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2003 || 12 September 2002 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2002 || 19 September 2001 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2001 || 11 September 2000 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 2000 || 11 September 1999 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1999 || 12 September 1998 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1998 || 19 September 1997 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1997 || 10 September 1996 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1996 || 01 October 1995 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1995 || 05 September 1994 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1994 || 11 September 1993 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1993 || 04 September 1992 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1992 || 16 September 1991 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1991 || 19 September 1990 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1990 || 23 September 1989 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1989 || 12 September 1988 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1988 || 02 September 1987 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1987 || 06 September 1986 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1986 || 07 September 1985 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1985 || 16 September 1984 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1984 || 18 September 1983 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1983 || 17 September 1982 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1982 || 10 September 1981 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1981 || 05 September 1980 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1980 || 21 September 1979 Arctic sea ice minimum area for 1979

Sea ice concentration3-year moving average from 1979-1981 through 2004-2006. || Sea ice is frozen seawater floating on the surface of the ocean. Some sea ice is semi-permanent, persisting from year to year, and some is seasonal, melting and refreezing from season to season. The sea ice cover reaches its minimum extent at the end of each summer and the remaining ice is called the perennial ice cover. This animation shows a 3-year moving average of the perennial ice cover, or minimum sea ice concentration, for from 1979-1981 through 2004-2006. The area of the perennial ice has been steadily decreasing since the satellite record began in 1979, at a rate of about 10% per decade. This decrease is evident in the animation shown here.This is an update of animation ID #3267. || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1979-1981 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1989-1982 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1981-1983 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1982-1984 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1983-1985 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1984-1986 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1985-1987 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1986-1988 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1987-1989 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1988-1990 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1989-1991 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1990-1992 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1991-1993 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1992-1994 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1993-1995 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1994-1996 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1995-1997 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1996-1998 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1997-1999 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1998-2000 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 1999-2001 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 2000-2002 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 2001-2003 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 2002-2004 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 2003-2005 || Sea ice concentration 3-year average from 2004-2006

Yearly Arctic sea ice concentrations 1979 to 2006 (with dates and climatology average) || This animation shows the annual minimum Arctic sea ice extent and concentration from 1979 to 2006. Average climatology from 1979 to 2004 is shown as a yellow outline. || Yearly Arctic sea ice concentrations 1979 to 2006 || Date overlay files corresponding to yearly sea ice || Sea ice climatology averages from 1979 to 2004 || Arctic sea ice from Sep 14, 2006 (with climatology average) || Arctic Sea ice from Sep 14, 2006 || Arctic Sea ice from Sep 21, 1979

This animation shows the three-year moving average September mean sea ice concentration in the northern hemisphere from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005. A date bar indicates the range of years averaged to compute the September mean shown. || Sea ice is frozen seawater floating on the surface of the ocean. Some sea ice is permanent, persisting from year to year, and some is seasonal, melting and refreezing from season to season. Because the extent of the sea ice is important both for the Arctic marine ecology and for the role it plays in the Earth s climate, understanding the variation of this extent during the year and from year-to-year is vital. Each year, the minimum sea ice extent in the northern hemisphere occurs at the end of summer, in September. By comparing the extent of the sea ice in September over many successive years, long term trends in the polar climate can be assessed. This animation shows the three-year moving average September mean sea ice concentration in the northern hemisphere from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005. Since 1999, this minimum has shown an ice extent that is consistently 10% to 15% smaller than the average extent over the past 20 years. || This element is the three-year moving average September mean sea ice concentration in the northern hemisphere from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005 without the date bar overlay. || This element contains the overlay date bar that indicates the range of years averaged to compute the September mean along with a month label in the upper left corner. || This animation dissolves between the 1979-1981 average September mean sea ice concentration and the 2003-2005 average September mean sea ice concentration. || This still image shows the September mean sea ice concentration computed from the years 2003 through 2005.

This animation shows the yearly minimum sea ice concentration from September for each year from 1979 through 2003. || This animation shows the yearly minimum sea ice concentration from September for each year from 1979 through 2003. The average sea ice extent from 1979-2002 is outlined in orange. || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1979 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1980 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1981 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1982 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1983 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1984 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1985 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1986 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1987 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1988 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1989 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1990 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1991 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1992 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1993 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1994 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1995 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1996 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1997 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1998 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 1999 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 2000 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 2001 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 2002 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice concentration in 2003 (September)

This animation shows the yearly minimum sea ice extent from September for each year from 1979 through 2003. || This animation shows the Arctic yearly minimum sea ice extent from September for each year from 1979 through 2003. The average sea ice extent from 1979-2002 is outlined in orange. || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1979 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1980 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1981 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1982 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1983 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1984 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1985 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1986 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1987 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1988 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1989 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1990 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1991 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1992 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1993 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1994 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1995 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1996 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1997 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1998 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 1999 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 2000 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 2001 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 2002 (September) || An image of the minimum sea ice extent in 2003 (September)

Yearly sea ice concentrations 1979 to 2005 (with dates and climatology average) || This animation shows the annual minimum sea ice extent and concentration for 25 years, from 1979 to 2005. Average climatology from 1979 to 2004 which is shown as a yellow outline is also included.Three year moving average are shown from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005. || Yearly sea ice concentrations 1979 to 2005 || Date overlay files corresponding to yearly sea ice || Sea ice climatology averages from 1979 to 2004 with 2 pixel wide line || Sea ice climatology averages from 1979 to 2004 with 5 pixel wide line || Sea ice from Sep 21, 1979 || Sea ice from Sep 21, 2005 || Sea ice from Sep 21, 2005 (with climatology outline)

Sea ice concentration3-year moving average from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005 || This animation shows a 3-year moving average of minimum sea ice concentration for from 1979-1981 through 2003-2005. Average climatology from 1979 to 2004 which is shown as a yellow outline is also included. This line represents the average location of the edge of perennial sea ice cover. || Sea ice climatology averages from 1979 to 2004 with 2 pixel wide line || Sea ice climatology averages from 1979 to 2004 with 5 pixel wide line || Sea ice concentration3-year average from 1979-1981 || Sea ice concentration3-year average from 2003-2005

Sea ice minimum extents from 1979 to 2004 || This animation shows the annual minimum sea ice extent and concentration for 25 years, from 1979 to 2004. The year 2002 showed lowest level of sea ice on record. This visualization was created in support of the December 2004 American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting. NOTE: this version has a slightly different camera angle than the 2003 version, animation ID 2850 (the original camera angle was lost). || Sea ice minimum extent for 1979. || Sea ice minimum extent for 1980 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1981 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1982 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1983 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1984 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1985 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1986 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1987 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1988 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1989 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1990 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1991 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1992 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1993 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1994 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1995 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1996 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1997 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1998 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1999 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2000 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2001 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2002 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2003 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2004

This animation shows the annual minimum sea ice extent and concentration for 24 years, from 1979 to 2003. The year 2002 showed lowest level of sea ice on record. || This visualization was created in support of the October 2003 Cryosphere Earth Science Update (ESU). || Sea ice minimum extent for 1979 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1980 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1981 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1982 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1983 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1984 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1985 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1986 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1987 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1988 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1989 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1990 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1991 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1992 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1993 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1994 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1995 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1996 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1997 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1998 || Sea ice minimum extent for 1999 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2000 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2001 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2002 || Sea ice minimum extent for 2003

B-roll and canned interviews will be added on Thursday, March 24 || Just three months into 2016 and already global temperatures – particularly in the Arctic – are far warmer than normal. Global temperatures for February were the warmest on record for that month.Nowhere is this warming trend felt more than in theArctic where the unusual wintertime warmth has contributed to record low wintertime sea ice extent. Arctic sea ice keeps the Polar Regions cold and helps regulate global temperatures. The shrinking of sea ice is a key indicator of our planet’s health.NASA is monitoring the health of the Arctic from space and the ground. In the coming days NASA will launch two missions – Operation Ice Bridge and OMG (Oceans Melting Greenland). These airborne and ground campaigns to the Arctic will take measurements of sea ice and glacier thickness.Join NASA scientists on Friday, March 25 from 6:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT to see new images of this year’s sea ice extent; talk about how the Arctic faired this winter; and find out the latest on NASA missions to the Arctic set to launch in the coming days.Suggested Questions:1. What do the latest images show us about this year’s winter in the Arctic?2. What do the images tell us about the long-term trend?3. NASA is getting ready to send out teams of scientists to the Arctic in the comingdays. What will they be doing?4. Where can we learn more?*** To book a window contact***Michelle Handleman / michelle.z.handleman@nasa.govClick for sea ice Flickr gallery. || Record Low Sea Ice Live Shot Roll-ins/B-Roll || Dr. Walt Meier talks about Arctic sea ice.