The amount of sea ice around Svalbard is 62,298 square kilometers below normal. This corresponds to an area the size of Møre and Romsdal, Vestland and Rogaland combined. This is more than the entire area of Svalbard. Researcher at the Meteorological Institute, Signe Aaboe, explains that the decrease in sea ice is probably due to the hot summer. – It has generally been very hot. After all, we have had record heat in Svalbard. In July, Longyearbyen had a maximum temperature of 18.4 degrees. Ocean currents and wind can also be a cause, as these can lead to rapid changes in the sea ice. – If you suddenly have very strong ocean currents or wind, which goes north, it will cause the entire ice to move north. But the marked decline that has been here, I believe, is largely due to the hot summer that has been, says Aaboe. The black and red lines show the amount of sea ice around Svalbard this year, which is now lower than in both 2012 and 2022. It is expected that the sea ice will freeze in mid-September. Photo: The ice service Almost ice-free to the North Pole It is not only around Svalbard that there is a lack of sea ice. When the research ship FF “Kronprins Haakon” arrived at the North Pole on 28 July, this went considerably faster than expected. The reason: little sea ice. According to Ole Arve Misund, expedition leader and director of the Polar Institute, they had expected to use longer time and more engine power to reach the North Pole. – We were prepared for much more ice-breaking. But for long periods we have had open parties all the way through, he says. – It really surprises us. When the research ship Crown Prince Haakon was going to the North Pole, this went faster than first expected, because there was relatively little sea ice. Photo: Vegard Stürzinger / Norwegian Polar Institute The bottom has not been reached Although more sea ice than usual has melted, the bottom has not been reached yet. It is expected sometime in September. – The sea ice will continue to decrease, quite naturally, because we still have a hot summer, explains Aaboe. She expects the sea ice to start freezing again in mid-September. The marine scientists on board the ship became worried on the way north over small and thin sea ice. – This means that the ice is young and new. It grew the winter that was and has not survived a summer yet. This is a trend we have seen in recent years, says Mats Granskog. The sea ice around the research ship on its way to the North Pole. The researchers are worried because this is new and thin sea ice. Photo: TRINE LISE SVIGGUM HELGERUD / NORWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE
ttn-69
The sea ice around Svalbard has melted – there is no sea ice the size of Svalbard – news Troms and Finnmark
