Declining sea ice impacts more than just sea level rise. It reduces polar bear ranges and causes havoc in coastal communities where the weather is influenced by sea ice. And over the past few decades, the trend is worsening.
The interactive map from Esri charts the average monthly sea ice extent for the Arctic and Antarctic since 1978. It doesn’t matter which polar area you explore —they’re both losing sea ice faster than it can be formed.
Launch Interactive Map
In the Arctic, a clear downward trend emerges over time. Since 1979, the yearly maximum has declined, as has the yearly minimum. While there is some variance from year to year, the downward trend persists.
Sea ice in the Antarctic has been more stable. Still, the minimum Antarctic sea ice extent in 2022 was at its lowest level since 1979. At just 2.16 million km², this deviation is 27.8% below the median for February.
Sea ice extents normally wax and wane over the year, following seasonal patterns. Sea ice builds in the winter before reaching its maximum coverage. This typically happens in March for the Arctic and in September for the Antarctic. As seasons change and temperatures warm, sea ice dissipates until it reaches its minimum. Minimum coverage usually happens in September for the Arctic and in February for the Antarctic.
It’s a cycle that used to end in renewal. But as the climate continues to change, the cycle is breaking, and Earth is losing sea ice. With maps, we can identify and quantify these patterns. The insights we gain will be essential for understanding and adapting to climate change.
By the Numbers
Here are the high and low values for minimum and maximum sea ice extent in the Arctic and Antarctic since 1979:
| Extent | Sea Ice Area | Date | Deviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Max Extent (Arctic) | 16.34 million km² | March 1979 | 5.6% above median |
| Low Max Extent (Arctic) | 14.29 million km² | March 2017 | 7.7% below median |
| High Min Extent (Arctic) | 7.67 million km² | September 1980 | 17.8% above median |
| Low Min Extent (Arctic) | 3.57 million km² | September 2012 | 45.2% below median |
| High Max Extent (Antartic) | 19.76 million km² | September 2014 | 6.4% above median |
| Low Max Extent (Antarctic) | 17.86 million km² | September 1986 | 4.8% below median |
| High Min Extent (Antarctic) | 3.89 million km² | February 2008 | 30.1% above median |
| Low Min Extent (Antarctic) | 2.16 million km² | February 2022 | 27.8% below median |
More to Explore
- Learn more about how this interactive map was created and the data behind it.
- Check out these fascinating neon-colored maps of historic sea ice extents.
- View an animated map showing 30+ years of sea ice decline.
