Melt ponds cause Artic sea ice to melt more rapidly
Friday, January 18, 2013 - 12:00
in Earth & Climate
The Arctic sea ice has not only declined over the past decade but has also become distinctly thinner and younger. Researchers are now observing mainly thin, first-year ice floes which are extensively covered with melt ponds in the summer months where once meter-thick, multi-year ice used to float.