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Arctic summer ice is shrinking

Scientists say the ice cap on the Arctic Ocean is shrinking. Each summer it melts back some. But long-term observations show that the maximum extent of the summer ice - its total area - is getting smaller over time, and this summer reached a new record. Here is a graphic representation of what's been happening in recent years.

The experts blame human-induced global warming for at least some portion of this phenomenon. And there is concern about its impact on habitat for polar bears, seals and many smaller creatures that depend on the ice and cold waters. The phenomenon appears to feed on itself. Ice reflects solar energy back into space. The more dark, open water becomes exposed to the summer sun, the more the Arctic Ocean heats up, slowing the formation of more ice in winter, speeding its spring melt, and opening still more ocean to the sun.

This could all have a profound impact on climate and weather, not to mention commerce if shippers one day find an ice-free summertime shortcut, through the arctic, between the North Atlantic and the North Pacific. Explorers looked for one for centuries. They may finally get it.

The Sun carries a New York Times wire story on the latest discoveries on page A3 today.

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About the blogger
Frank Roylance is a reporter for The Baltimore Sun. He came to Baltimore from New Bedford, Mass. in 1980 to join the old Evening Sun. He moved to the morning Sun when the papers merged in 1993, and has spent most of his time since covering science, including astronomy and the weather. One of The Baltimore Sun's first online Web logs, the Weather Blog debuted in October 2004. In June 2006 Frank also began writing comments on local weather and stargazing for The Baltimore Sun's print Weather Page.
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