Report … a record level of ice melt in the Antarctic Ocean for the second year in a row

Washington-SANA

The US National Ice and Snow Data Center confirmed that the extent of sea ice in the Antarctic Ocean witnessed a record level of melting for the second year in a row even before the end of the southern summer, leaving Antarctica vulnerable to waves and hot winds that indirectly threaten the ice cover.

And the French Press Agency quoted the center as saying in a report: that on February 13, the volume of sea ice around Antarctica decreased to 1.19 million square kilometers, which is the lowest level recorded since satellite measurements began in 1978.

The previous record was set in February 2022, when the area of ​​floating ice in the Antarctic Ocean fell to less than two million square kilometers for the first time.

The center indicated that the strong melting recorded since 2016 raises fears of a significant downward trend for the first time, explaining that the decline in the extent of sea ice cover enhances ocean warming, which increases the effects of climate change caused by human activity.

And the center indicated that the minimum annual ice cover was recorded between the 18th of February and the 3rd of March in recent years, which leads to the expectation of a further decrease by the end of the southern summer, which is characterized by high temperatures.

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