Winter Sea Ice in Antarctica Reaches Record Low
2023-09-27
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1The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported Monday that winter sea ice hit record lows in Antarctica this year.
2Scientists say the lack of sea ice is evidence of serious climate change at the South Pole.
3Researchers say the lack of sea ice will affect penguins, who mate and raise their young on the ice.
4In addition, a lack of ice speeds Earth's rising temperatures.
5A large amount of sea ice keeps the planet cool because it reflects sunlight back into space.
6The amount of sea ice was at its highest level on September 10, towards the end of the southern hemisphere's winter.
7However, it only covered 16.96 million square kilometers.
8That was the lowest coverage since satellite records began in 1979.
9The latest measurement breaks a low ice record from 1986 by about one million square kilometers.
10Walt Meier is a top NSIDC scientist.
11"It's not just a record-breaking year," he said. "It's an extreme record-breaking year."
12The group said the ice measurement findings are not complete.
13It said a full report would come out in October.
14Sea ice reaches its peak, or highest level, in late September in the southern hemisphere.
15The ice melts to its lowest point during the hemisphere's summer in February or March.
16The last summer measurement came about six months ago, which also set a new record for melting ice.
17I'm Caty Weaver.
1The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported Monday that winter sea ice hit record lows in Antarctica this year. 2Scientists say the lack of sea ice is evidence of serious climate change at the South Pole. 3Researchers say the lack of sea ice will affect penguins, who mate and raise their young on the ice. In addition, a lack of ice speeds Earth's rising temperatures. A large amount of sea ice keeps the planet cool because it reflects sunlight back into space. 4The amount of sea ice was at its highest level on September 10, towards the end of the southern hemisphere's winter. However, it only covered 16.96 million square kilometers. That was the lowest coverage since satellite records began in 1979. The latest measurement breaks a low ice record from 1986 by about one million square kilometers. 5Walt Meier is a top NSIDC scientist. "It's not just a record-breaking year," he said. "It's an extreme record-breaking year." 6The group said the ice measurement findings are not complete. It said a full report would come out in October. 7Sea ice reaches its peak, or highest level, in late September in the southern hemisphere. The ice melts to its lowest point during the hemisphere's summer in February or March. 8The last summer measurement came about six months ago, which also set a new record for melting ice. 9I'm Caty Weaver. 10Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters. 11____________________________________________________ 12Words in This Story 13reflect -n. to bend or throw back waves of light, sound, or heat 14We want to hear from you. Do you think the area will set a new record again at this time next year?