The Arctic’s rapidly shrinking sea ice cover: a research synthesis
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences · University of Colorado Boulder · +3 more institutions
Abstract
The sequence of extreme September sea ice extent minima over the past decade suggests acceleration in the response of the Arctic sea ice cover to external forcing, hastening the ongoing transition towards a seasonally open Arctic Ocean. This reflects several mutually supporting processes. Because of the extensive open water in recent Septembers, ice cover in the following spring is increasingly dominated by thin, first-year ice (ice formed during the previous autumn and winter) that is vulnerable to melting out in summer. Thinner ice in spring in turn fosters a stronger summer ice-albedo feedback through earlier formation of open water areas. A thin ice cover is also more vulnerable to strong summer retreat…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 72.14
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 59
Authors
6- JSJulienne StrœveCorresponding
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado System
- MCMark C. Serreze
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado System
- MMMarika M. Holland
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
- JEJennifer E. Kay
NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, Colorado State University
- JMJames Malanik
University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado System
Topics & keywords
- Arctic ice pack
- Ice-albedo feedback
- Sea ice
- Cryosphere
- Climatology
- Drift ice
- Arctic sea ice decline
- Arctic geoengineering
- Life below water