Arctic Sea Ice Hits a Record Low

Arctic sea ice is thawing at a historic rate, scientists say. In fact, a recent analysis of satellite data "utterly obliterates" the previous record, set in 2007.

The chief culprit? Global warming. The potential upshot? Longer and more intense extreme-weather events such as heat waves, cold spells, and droughts.

On Monday, researchers at the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center said the rate of Arctic sea ice decline is now the highest that has ever been observed for the month of August. In August of this year, the sea ice disappeared at an average rate of about 39 square miles (a hundred square kilometers) per day—or about twice as fast as normal, NSIDC scientists say.

From www.nationalgeographic.com.
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