Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2016 with Area Graph

Credits

• Visualizers

  • Cindy Starr (Global Science and Technology, Inc.) [Lead]
  • Helen-Nicole Kostis (USRA)

• Scientists

  • Josefino Comiso (NASA/GSFC)
  • Walt Meier (NASA/GSFC)

• Project support

  • Eric Sokolowsky (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)
  • Joycelyn Thomson Jones (NASA/GSFC)
  • Leann Johnson (Global Science and Technology, Inc.)

• Technical support

  • Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.)
  • Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.)

• Sr. data analyst

  • Robert Gersten (SGT)

Related Pages

• Related

  • 

    ID: 4592 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2017 (SSMI data)

    Oct. 16th, 2017
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    The annual minimum Arctic sea ice from 1979-2017. || seaIce_framePerYear_HD.2017_print.jpg (1024x576) [141.0 KB] || seaIce_framePerYear_HD.2017_searchweb.png (320x180) [88.9 KB] || seaIce_framePerYear_HD.2017_thm.png (80x40) [6.3 KB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_01p/nodates/ (1920x1080) [4.0 KB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_01p/no_dates_20fps/ (1920x1080) [64.0 KB] || nodates_seaIce_20framesPerYear_HD_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [14.3 MB] || nodates_seaIce_20framesPerYear_HD_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [1.5 MB] ||

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• Newer Versions

  • 

    ID: 5170 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area 1979-2023, With Graph

    Oct. 2nd, 2023
    (updated Oct. 17th, 2023)

    Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2023, with graph || sea_ice_min_w_graph_4k_2023.1280_print.jpg (1024x576) [181.7 KB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_4k_2023.1280_searchweb.png (320x180) [78.6 KB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_4k_2023.1280_thm.png (80x40) [6.5 KB] || frames/3840x2160_16x9_30p/sea_ice_min_w_graph_4k_2023/ (3840x2160) [128.0 KB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2023_2160p30.mp4 (3840x2160) [92.8 MB] ||

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  • 

    ID: 5036 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area 1979-2022, With Graph

    Sept. 27th, 2022
    (updated Nov. 15th, 2023)

    Arctic sea ice minimum area 1979-2022, with graph || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2022.1199_print.jpg (1024x576) [188.0 KB] || sea_ice_min_area-w_graph_2022_print_res.png (5760x3240) [14.2 MB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2022.1199_print_thm.png (80x40) [6.7 KB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2022_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [34.1 MB] || frames/5760x3240_16x9_30p/sea_ice_min_w_graph_HW/ (5760x3240) [128.0 KB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2022_2160p30.mp4 (3840x2160) [98.3 MB] || sea_ice_min_w_graph_2022_2160p30.webm (3840x2160) [14.9 MB] ||

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  • 

    ID: 5002 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area 1979-2022

    May 5th, 2022
    (updated Nov. 15th, 2023)

    Arctic sea ice minimum 1979-2021, with graph || sea_min_w_graph_2021.1349_print.jpg (1024x576) [180.1 KB] || sea_min_w_graph_2021.1349_searchweb.png (320x180) [80.4 KB] || sea_min_w_graph_2021.1349_thm.png (80x40) [6.7 KB] || sea_min_w_graph_2021_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [33.7 MB] || sea_min_w_graph_2021_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [5.5 MB] || frames/5760x3240_16x9_30p/sea_ice_min_w_graph/ (5760x3240) [128.0 KB] || sea_min_w_graph_2021_2160p30.mp4 (3840x2160) [89.2 MB] ||

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  • 

    ID: 4867 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2020 with Area Graph

    Oct. 16th, 2020
    (updated Nov. 15th, 2023)

    Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2020, With Graph || sea_ice_minimum.1299_print.jpg (1024x576) [173.8 KB] || sea_ice_minimum.1299_print_searchweb.png (320x180) [81.5 KB] || sea_ice_minimum.1299_print_thm.png (80x40) [6.8 KB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_30p/w_graph/sea_ice_w_graph_2020/ (1920x1080) [128.0 KB] || sea_ice_minimum_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [26.4 MB] || sea_ice_minimum_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [5.2 MB] ||

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  • 

    ID: 4786 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019 with Area Graph

    Jan. 10th, 2020
    (updated Nov. 15th, 2023)

    Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2019, With Graph || sea_ice_minimum.1200_print.jpg (1024x576) [138.6 KB] || sea_ice_minimum.1200_searchweb.png (320x180) [98.2 KB] || sea_ice_minimum.1200_thm.png (80x40) [7.7 KB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_30p/minimum_with_graph/ (1920x1080) [128.0 KB] || sea_ice_minimum_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [26.2 MB] || sea_ice_minimum_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [4.7 MB] ||

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• Older Versions

  • 

    ID: 4435 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2015 with Area Graph

    March 10th, 2016
    (updated Nov. 14th, 2023)

    An animation of the annual Arctic sea ice minimum with a graph overlay showing the area of the minimum sea ice in millions of square kilometers.This video is also available on our YouTube channel. || seaIceWgraph_HD.1079_print.jpg (1024x576) [160.4 KB] || seaIceWgraph_HD.1079_searchweb.png (320x180) [91.5 KB] || seaIceWgraph_HD.1079_thm.png (80x40) [6.8 KB] || seaIceWgraph_HD_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [15.5 MB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_30p/seaIceMin_withGraph/ (1920x1080) [128.0 KB] || seaIceWgraph_HD_1080p30.webm (1920x1080) [2.9 MB] || frames/3840x2160_16x9_30p/seaIceMin_withGraph/ (3840x2160) [128.0 KB] || seaIceWgraph_4k_2160p30.mp4 (3840x2160) [66.3 MB] ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 4301 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2014 with Area Graph

    April 8th, 2015
    (updated Nov. 14th, 2023)

    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. || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph.2499_print.jpg (1024x576) [129.9 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph.2499_searchweb.png (320x180) [83.9 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph.2499_web.png (320x180) [83.9 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph.2499_thm.png (80x40) [9.0 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph_720p30.mp4 (1280x720) [7.5 MB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph_1080p30.mp4 (1920x1080) [14.4 MB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_60p/composite/ (1920x1080) [256.0 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph_720p30.webm (1280x720) [5.0 MB] || frames/1920x1080_16x9_30p/composite/ (1920x1080) [128.0 KB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph_4301.key [22.3 MB] || seaIce_1979-2014_min_wGraph_4301.pptx [19.7 MB] ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 4131 Visualization

    Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 1979-2013 with Area Graph

    Jan. 24th, 2014
    (updated Nov. 14th, 2023)

    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 "minimum" before colder weather begins to cause ice cover to increase. The ice parameters derived from satellite ice concentration data that are most relevant to climate change studies are sea ice extent and sea ice area. This graph displays the area of the minimum sea ice coverage each year from 1979 through 2013. In 2013, the Arctic minimum sea ice covered an area of 4.704 million square kilometers. This visualization shows the expanse of the annual minimum Arctic sea ice for each year from 1979 to 2013 as derived from SSMI data. A semi-transparent graph overlay shows the area in million square kilometers for each year's minimum day. The date shown in the upper right corner indicates the current year being displayed. ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 3991 Visualization

    Sea Ice Yearly Minimum 1979-2012 (SSMI data) with Graph

    Sept. 19th, 2012
    (updated Nov. 14th, 2023)

    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's minimum day. The '1979', '2007', and '2012' data points are highlighted on the graph.For high resolution still images of the 1979 and 2012 September sea ice minimum, see visualization #3998. ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 3893 Visualization

    Sea Ice Yearly Minimum 1979-2011 (SSMI data)

    Dec. 2nd, 2011
    (updated Nov. 12th, 2023)

    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's minimum day. The '1979','2007', and '2011' data points are highlighted on the graph. ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 3802 Visualization

    Sea Ice Yearly Minimum 1979-2010 (SSMI data)

    Nov. 12th, 2010
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    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. ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 3563 Visualization

    Sea Ice Yearly Minimum with Graph Overlay 1979-2008

    Oct. 29th, 2008
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    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 ||

    Read more
  • 

    ID: 3464 Visualization

    Sea Ice Yearly Minimum 1979-2007

    Sept. 26th, 2007
    (updated May 3rd, 2023)

    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. ||

    Read more

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