Arctic Ice Levels ‘Dropped By Half and Have Not Recovered’

New research published in the journal Nature has found dramatic changes in the composition of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean since 2007 caused by climate change.

Norwegian Polar Institute researchers have monitored sea ice thickness in the Fraim Strait (a sea channel connecting the Arctic Ocean and the Nordic Seas that runs between Greenland and the Norwegian archipelago) for the past three decades. In 2007, a “regime shift” was noted in Arctic sea ice composition, from thicker and deformed to thinner and more uniform ice cover. They found that the amount of thick and deformed ice has dropped by half and the thinning may be irreversible.

The researchers link the ice thinning to a rise in Arctic surface temperatures, a reduction in light reflected off the sea ice meaning that more energy is being absorbed, and warmer ocean water. Younger, thinner ice could result in a loss of habitat for Arctic creatures, as thicker, ridged sea ice can be a haven to hide from predators. There are also consequences for humans, while thinner, more level ice can be more challenging for ship navigation, it may contribute to an increase in Arctic maritime traffic.