Sea ice extent for 2007 and 2008, with blue showing areas covered in 2008 not covered in 2007, and dark brown showing areas covered in 2007 that aren't covered in 2008.
Data from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Envisat satellite shows a 19% decline in Arctic sea ice thickness last winter. The data, and analysis of thickness from 2002 to 2008, showed steady thickness until dramatic loss in the summer of 2007.
Scientists are anxious to see if this decline in sea ice thickness continues. The radar altimeter data from Envisat will be joined by higher resolution data and complete coverage of the pole with the launch of ESA’s CryoSate-2 next year.
