The Arctic ice cap is melting faster than most models can keep up with. Already this winter, the ice cap reached it smallest extent for its winter maximum coverage ever, tying the 2006 winter season. Is it simply part of Earth’s continuing evolution, human-induced global warming or both causing this to happen?
The smallest Arctic ice extent ever occurred in the summer of 2007, with an area of only 1.13 million square miles of ice composing the Arctic ice cap. The average coverage of the Arctic Ice cap has been steadily decreasing since 1980 when its median extent was 6,030,000 square miles (Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center).
Many experts predict that the Arctic summer ice cap will completely vanish by the year 2050. Because the amount of water contained within the Arctic ice cap is not enough to cause alarm for most seaside communities, this melting phenomenon inherently brings with it changes that are both welcomed and troublesome.
The integrity of the Arctic ecosystem will be compromised. In fact, the sunlight previously reflected back into space by the ice cap would be absorbed by the Arctic Ocean, causing a warming effect and affecting weather patterns. Temperatures will rise as a result. On the other hand, shipping lanes will open between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the north.
The following video shows one model of how the summer Arctic ice cap may vanish over the years through 2049, courtesy of University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.
