Arctic sea ice reaches historic summer low | Greenspace | Los Angeles Times

Arctic sea ice reaches historic summer low | Greenspace | Los Angeles Times

Scientists have recorded the third-lowest level of summer Arctic sea ice since data collection began more than 30 years ago.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center, which uses satellite imagery to track the so-called summer minimum, said the Arctic ice sheet had reached its minimum on Sept. 10, and that it was headed back into its winter growth cycle.

The minimum this year, however, was 25% below a 31-year average (1979-2010), a deficit of 625,000 square miles.