AMSR2 2018 Minimum Arctic Sea Ice Extent

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 (GCOM-W1) satellite. Two JAXA datasets used in this animation are the 10-km daily sea ice concentration and the 10 km daily 89 GHz Brightness Temperature.In this animation, the daily Arctic sea ice and seasonal land cover change progress through time, from the yearly maximum ice extent on February 25 2022, through its minimum on September 18 2022. Over the water, Arctic sea ice changes from day to day showing a running 3-day minimum sea ice concentration in the region where the concentration is greater than 15%. The blueish white color of the sea ice is derived from a 3-day running minimum of the AMSR2 89 GHz brightness temperature. The yellow boundary shows the minimum extent averaged over the 30-year period from 1981 to 2010. Over the terrain, monthly data from the seasonal Blue Marble Next Generation fades slowly from month to month. Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 2022, Animation Arctic Sea Ice Minimum 2022, Print Resolution Still

In this animation, the daily Arctic sea ice and seasonal land cover change progress through time, from March 13, 2019 through September 7, 2019, when the ice reaches its annual minimum extent. NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center report that the 2019 Arctic sea ice minimum is the fourth lowest of the 38 year satellite data record, at an area of 1.66 million square miles. Over the land, monthly data from the seasonal Blue Marble Next Generation fades slowly from month to month. Over the water, Arctic sea ice changes from day to day showing a running 3-day minimum sea ice concentration in the region where the concentration is greater than 15%. The blueish white colour of the sea ice is derived from a 3-day running minimum of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) 89 GHz brightness temperature. Over the land, monthly data from the seasonal Blue Marble Next Generation fades slowly from month to month. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) provides many water-related products derived from data acquired by the AMSR2 instrument aboard the Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water (GCOM-W1) satellite. Two JAXA datasets used in this animation are the 10-km daily sea ice concentration and the 10 km daily 89 GHz Brightness Temperature. 2019 Sea Ice Minimum Extent 2019 Sea Ice Minimum Extent, No Labels Dates 2019 Sea Ice Minimum Extent, Print Resolution 2019 Sea Ice Minimum Extent, No Labels, Print Resolution

Sea ice acts as an air conditioner for the planet, reflecting energy from the Sun. On September 17, the Arctic Sea ice reached its minimum extent for 2014 — at 1.94 million square miles (5.02 million square kilometers), it’s the sixth lowest extent of the satellite record. With warmer temperatures and thinner, less resilient ice, the Arctic sea ice is on a downward trend. The red line in the still image indicates the average ice extent over the 30 year period between 1981 and 2011. Print-resolution still, no date Print-resolution still, with date Sea ice extent animation, with date Sea ice extent animation, without date Dates only Print-resolution still with a graph overlay

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) provides many water-related products derived from data acquired by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) instrument aboard the Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water (GCOM-W1) satellite. Two JAXA datasets used in this animation are the 10-km daily sea ice concentration and the 10 km daily 89 GHz Brightness Temperature.In 2013, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) determined the Arctic sea ice reached its annual minimum of 5.1 million square kilometers on September 13, 2013 using a 5-day trailing average. NASA scientists independently determined the Arctic sea ice reached its annual minimum extent of 5.217 million square kilometers on September 12 using a 5-day running average. In this animation, the daily Arctic sea ice and seasonal land cover change progress through time, from May 16, 2013 through the minimum area of coverage for 2013. Two movies are provided: one stopping on September 12 and one that continues to September 13. Over the water, Arctic sea ice changes from day to day showing a running 3-day minimum sea ice concentration in the region where the concentration is greater than 15%. The blueish white colour of the sea ice is derived from a 3-day running minimum of the AMSR2 89 GHz brightness temperature. Over the land, monthly data from the seasonal Blue Marble Next Generation fades slowly from month to month. The complete animation of the daily AMSR2 sea ice from May 16 through September 13, 2013. The complete animation of the daily AMSR2 sea ice from May 16 through September 12, 2013. A still image of the Arctic sea ice on September 13th, 2013. A still image of the Arctic sea ice on September 13, 2013 with a yellow line identifying the 30-year average extent. A still image of the Arctic sea ice on September 12th, 2013. A still image of the Arctic sea ice on September 12, 2013 with a yellow line identifying the 30-year average extent. The Earth layer with transparency at a gamma of 1.0 The date layer with transparency at a gamma of 1.0 The star layer at a gamma of 1.0 For More InformationSee [http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/ArcticSeaIceResources.html](http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/ArcticSeaIceResources.html)

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.In this animation, the Arctic sea ice and seasonal land cover change progress through time, from March 31, 2010 when sea ice in the Arctic was at its maximum extent, through September 19, 2010, when it was at its minimum. The blueish white color of the sea ice is derived from a 3-day running maximum of the AMSR-E 89 GHz brightness temperature. Over the terrain, monthly data from the seasonal Blue Marble Next Generation fades slowly from month to month. Arctic sea ice minimum extent for 2010 No dates Dates only (with alpha channel)

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.Duing the summer of 2009, the arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent on September 12th. The 2009 minimum extent was the third lowest extent measured since the beginning of the satellite record in 1979. This animation shows the summer retreat of sea ice over the Arctic from 7/1/2009 through 9/12/2009. The sea ice was defined by a 3-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration, showing the region where the sea ice concentration was greater than 15%. The false color of the sea ice was derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km brightness temperature. This animation shows the retreat of the sea ice over the Arctic from 7/1/2009 through 9/12/2009.

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. The AMSR-E instrument on the Aqua satellite acquires high resolution measurements of the 89 GHz brightness temperature near the poles. Because this is a passive microwave sensor which is not so sensitive to atmospheric effects, this sensor is able to observe the entire polar region every day, even through clouds and snowfall. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km 89 GHz brightness temperature, highlights the fissures or divergence areas in the sea ice cover by warm brightness temperatures (in blue) while cold brightness temperatures, shown in brighter white, represent consolidated sea ice. The sea ice edge is defined by the 15% ice concentration contour in the three-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration data.The animations below show the continuous motion of the Arctic sea ice during 2008, from January 1 through September 14, the week during which the Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent. The 2008 minimum extent of 4.52 sq km (1.74 sq miles) is the second lowest extent recorded since 1979. The animation of Arctic sea ice from January 1 through September 14, 2008. The date is displayed in the upper right corner. The animation of Arctic sea ice from January 1 through September 14, 2008. The date sequence with an alpha channel. Image of Arctic sea ice on March 10, 2008. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 9. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 12, 2008. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 13, 2008. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 14, 2008.

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. The AMSR-E instrument on the Aqua satellite acquires high resolution measurements of the 89 GHz brightness temperature near the poles. Because this is a passive microwave sensor which is not so sensitive to atmospheric effects, this sensor is able to observe the entire polar region every day, even through clouds and snowfall. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km 89 GHz brightness temperature, highlights the fissures or divergence areas in the sea ice cover by warm brightness temperatures (in blue) while cold brightness temperatures, shown in brighter white, represent consolidated sea ice. The sea ice edge identifies areas containing at least 15% ice concentration in the three-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration data.The animations below show the continuos motion of the Arctic sea ice during 2008 up to the point at which the Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent. The 2008 minimum extent of 4.52 sq km (1.74 sq miles) is the second lowest extent recorded since 1979. The animation of Arctic sea ice from January 1 through September 12, identified by NSIDC as the minimum extent for 2008. This animation has a two second hold on September 12, 2008. The date is displayed in the upper left corner. The animation of Arctic sea ice from January 1 through September 12, the date identified by NSIDC as the minimum extent for 2008. This animation has a two second hold on September 12, 2008. The date sequence with an alpha channel. Image of Arctic sea ice on March 10, 2008 when the sea ice reached the annual maximum extent of 15.21 million square kilometers (5.87 million square miles). Image of the Arctic sea ice on September 9, 2008. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 12, 2008. Image of Arctic sea ice on September 13, 2008 Image of Arctic sea ice on September 14 2008

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. The 2007 Arctic summer sea ice has reached the lowest extent of perennial ice cover on record - nearly 25% less than the previous low set in 2005. 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.The AMSR-E instrument on the Aqua satellite acquires high resolution measurements of the 89 GHz brightness temperature near the poles. Because this is a passive microwave sensor which is not so sensitive to atmospheric effects, this sensor is able to observe the entire polar region every day, even through clouds and snowfall. This animation progresses at a rate of six frames per day from January 1, 2007 through the minimum extent which occurred on September 14, 2007. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km 89 GHz brightness temperature, highlights the fissures or divergence areas in the sea ice cover by warm brightness temperatures (in blue) while cold brightness temperatures, shown in brighter white, represent consolidated sea ice. The sea ice edge is defined by the 15% ice concentration contour in the three-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration data while ice extent is the sum of all pixels with at least 15% ice. This animation progresses at a rate of six frames per day from January 1, 2007 through the minimum extent which occurred on September 14, 2007. The false color of the sea ice highlights the fissures in blue and consolidated sea ice in white. This image shows the record minimum sea ice which occurred on September 14, 2007. This image shows the previous record minimum sea ice which occurred on September 21, 2005.

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. The 2007 Arctic summer sea ice has reached the lowest extent of perennial ice cover on record - nearly 25% less than the previous low set in 2005. 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. The AMSR-E instrument on the Aqua satellite acquires high resolution measurements of the 89 GHz brightness temperature near the poles. Because this is a passive microwave sensor which is not so sensitive to atmospheric effects, this sensor is able to observe the entire polar region every day, even through clouds and snowfall. This animation progresses at a rate of six frames per day from January 1, 2007 through the minimum extent which occurred on September 14, 2007. The false color of the sea ice, derived from the AMSR-E 6.25 km 89 GHz brightness temperature, highlights the fissures or divergence areas in the sea ice cover by warm brightness temperatures (in blue) while cold brightness temperatures, shown in brighter white, represent consolidated sea ice. The sea ice edge is defined by the 15% ice concentration contour in the three-day moving average of the AMSR-E 12.5 km sea ice concentration data while ice extent is the sum of all pixels with at least 15% ice.An image of the sea ice on September 14, 2007 is included below, along with a corresponding image from September 21, 2005 showing the previous minimum sea ice extent. This animation shows the Arctic sea ices from January 1, 2007 through September 14, 2007 at a rate of 6 frames per day. This image shows the minimum sea ice extent that occurred on September 14, 2007. This image also shows the minimum sea ice extent that occurred on September 14, 2007. The view of this image matches the image below of the prior minimum sea ice that occurred on September 21, 2005. This image shows the minimum sea ice that occurred on September 21, 2005. The view of this image matches the image above of the current minimum sea ice that occurred on September 14, 2007.

A NASA analysis of satellite data reveals the 2015 Arctic sea ice minimum extent is one of the lowest on record. This visualization created from satellite observations shows sea ice and land cover changes from Feb. 25 to Sept. 11, 2015. This year s Arctic sea ice maximum extent (shown above) was reached on Feb. 25, and covered 5.61 million square miles. Arctic sea ice hit its minimum extent (shown above) on Sept. 11, and covered 1.70 million square miles. It was the fourth lowest minimum on record. The current minimum sea ice extent is almost a third smaller than the historical average from 1981-2010 (yellow line, above). For More InformationSee [NASA.gov](http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/arctic-sea-ice-summertime-minimum-is-fourth-lowest-on-record)

For complete transcript, click here. In this animation, the Earth rotates slowly as the Arctic sea ice advances over time from February 25, 2015 to September 11, 2015. In this animation, the Earth rotates slowly as the Arctic sea ice advances over time from February 25, 2015 to September 11, 2015. The dates are not included in this version. A print-resolution image of the Arctic sea ice on September 11, 2015, when the ice reached its annual minimum. A print-resolution image of the Arctic sea ice on September 11, 2015, when the ice reached its annual minimum. In addition, a gold line marks the 30-year average sea ice extent over the time period from 1981 through 2010. For More InformationSee [https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/arctic-sea-ice-summertime-minimum-is-fourth-lowest-on-record](https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/arctic-sea-ice-summertime-minimum-is-fourth-lowest-on-record)

As the sun sets over the Arctic, the end of this year’s melt season is quickly approaching and the sea ice cover has already shrunk to the fourth lowest in the satellite record. With possibly some days of melting left, the sea ice extent could still drop to the second or third lowest on record. Arctic sea ice, which regulates the planet’s temperature by bouncing solar energy back to space, has been on a steep decline for the last two decades. This animation shows the evolution of Arctic sea ice in 2015, from its annual maximum wintertime extent, reached on February 25, to September 6. A print-resolution image of the Arctic sea ice on September 6, 2015.