London: This year the Arctic region may be free of sea ice for the first time in more than 100,000 years, claimed an expert from the University of Cambridge.
According to the predictions of Professor Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University in the U.K., we could see “an area of less than one million square kilometres for September of this year.”
The study is based on provisional satellite data of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre that reportedly shows there was just over 11.1 million square kilometres of sea ice in the region on June 1 this year — a significant decrease from the average for the last 30 years — 12.7 million square kilometres
“My prediction remains that the Arctic ice may well disappear, that is, have an area of less than one million square kilometres for September of this year,” said Mr. Wadhams, head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge.
‘Record low year’
“Even if the ice does not completely disappear, it is very likely that this will be a record low year. I am convinced it will be less than 3.4 million square kilometres,” he said.
“I think there is a reasonable chance it could get down to a million this year and if it does not do it this year, it will do it next year,” Mr. Wadhams added.
The last time the Arctic was clear of ice is believed to be about 1,00,000 to 1,20,000 years ago. Sea ice is usually at its lowest in September and starts to build again when the winter sets in. Dr. Peter Gleick, a leading climatologist, said he had “no idea” if Wadhams’ prediction was correct.
(With inputs from Agency)
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