Antarctic sea ice refers to the ice that forms and floats on the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. It is distinct from the ice that covers the continent of Antarctica itself, which is land-based ice.
Here are some key points about Antarctic sea ice:
1. Formation: Antarctic sea ice forms during the Southern Hemisphere's winter months when the temperature drops significantly. It is primarily composed of frozen seawater.
2. Seasonal Variation: Antarctic sea ice exhibits significant seasonal variation. During the austral winter (Southern Hemisphere winter), it expands as temperatures drop, and during the austral summer, it retreats as temperatures rise.
3. Extent: The extent of Antarctic sea ice varies from year to year but typically reaches its maximum extent around September and its minimum extent around February or March. The maximum extent can cover an area roughly equivalent to the size of the continent of Antarctica.
4. Role in Climate: Sea ice plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate. It reflects sunlight back into space, helping to cool the planet. Additionally, the formation of sea ice influences ocean circulation patterns and affects the ecosystems in the Southern Ocean.
5. Research Interest: Antarctic sea ice is of great interest to climate scientists and researchers studying climate change. Changes in sea ice extent and thickness can provide insights into the state of the climate and its variability.
6. Contrast with Arctic Sea Ice: While both the Arctic and Antarctic have sea ice, there are significant differences between the two. The Arctic Ocean is mostly surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a continent surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Consequently, Arctic sea ice is influenced by surrounding land masses, while Antarctic sea ice is influenced by the continent itself and the unique ocean currents of the Southern Ocean.
Understanding the dynamics of Antarctic sea ice is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's climate system and how it may be changing in response to global warming and other environmental factors.
Since August 2016, Antarctic sea ice has been shrinking. This year it reached an all-time low. And that should worry you.
What all countries called ' development ' turned out to be uncontrolled building so that urban areas could 'accommodate' those who flocked to them from the industrial age onwards.
Of course now, the infrastructure created at the peak of urbanization is not even enough to 'live on' as we have grown by several billions.
So they become new and thus further abuses the natural resources. At the same time, not only have we not reduced carbon dioxide emissions (a basic condition for human survival on Earth), but fossil fuels remain the main source of energy consumption, worldwide.