Record Low: Antarctic Winter Sea Ice Reaches Extreme Levels

Antarctic sea ice reached a record low this winter, according to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). This has raised concerns among scientists about the impact of climate change on the southern pole. The decrease in sea ice can have severe consequences for animals like penguins and also contribute to global warming by reducing the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The extent of Antarctic sea ice peaked on September 10 at 16.96 million square kilometers, the lowest winter maximum since satellite records began in 1979. The NSIDC will release a full analysis next month, but preliminary figures indicate an extreme record-breaking year.