Scientists have observed that Antarctic sea ice has fallen to record lows for this time of year.
During the summer, Antarctica’s sea ice falls to its lowest levels near the end of February every year. However, the sea ice has not returned to its expected level and is at ‘the lowest levels for this time of year since records began 45 years ago,’ says CNN.
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Centre data, the ice is 1.6 million square kilometres lower than last year’s winter record low.
Antarctica’s sea ice was 2.6 million square kilometres below its expected mass in mid-July, nearly as big as the size of Argentina.
Scientists are trying to work out why this has happened, but climate change is expected to be the culprit.
Pictures: Unsplash
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