The National Ice Center reported last week that a passageway opened up due to retreating sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, rendering an open ring of potentially navigable ocean around the Arctic ice cap. According to the National Ice Center, “This is the first recorded occurrence of the Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route both being open at the same time.” The Northwest Passage is a ship route crossing waters above North America that connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This passageway historically has been impassable due to thick layers of sea ice. The Northern Sea Route runs along the Arctic waters along Russia. Experts attribute the effects of global warming as a contributing factor to sea ice retreating in the area.
Sea Ice Retreating in the Arctic Leading to Open Waters
Thursday, September 11th, 2008 6:41 pm
Written by: Robert Payo
Posted in Topics: Arctic, Current News, Polar News & Notes, Science
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[…] This was also the first year in which the Northwest Passage and the Northeast Passage were both ice free. In addition, Arctic sea ice is becoming younger and thinner and thus more susceptible to melting. […]
Yes, thank you for the clarification.
On a side note, I saw a kiosk today at the Denver International Airport that focuses on a study using time lapsed photography of glaciers across the globe and their patterns of retreating and thinning: http://extremeicesurvey.org/
[…] in its annual freeze-up period, closing the Northeast and Northwest passages. Both passages were open at the same time for the first time since satellite measurements began. The German research vessel […]