How climate change is threatening the Arctic's 'Last Ice Area'

Jul 15, 2021

The results raise concerns about the Last Ice Area but can’t immediately be applied to the entire region. Image: REUTERS/Kathryn Hansen/NASA (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - TM3E86B0WCN01

Hannah Hickey

‎Science writer, University of Washington

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This photo of sea ice on the Wandel Sea north of Greenland was taken August 16, 2020, from the German icebreaker Polarstern, which passed through the area as part of the year-long MOSAiC Expedition. This area used to remain fully covered in ice throughout the year. Satellite images show that August 14, 2020, was a record low sea ice concentration for this region, at 50%.

This area used to remain fully covered in ice throughout the year. Image: Felix Linhardt/Kiel University

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The study looked at the Wandel Sea north of Greenland, which is inside what’s known as the “Last Ice Area” of the Arctic Ocean. Image: Schweiger et al./Communications Earth & Environment

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