That matters: One of the most important measures of climate change in the Arctic is how much “old ice”—thick, stable ice that manages to stay frozen over the summer months for at least four consecutive years—is left there. “As sea ice ages, it adds volume, expels salt, and is toughened up by jostling and collisions,” NOAA wrote. “These characteristics make it better able to withstand warm weather and pounding from storm waves; its loss makes for a more fragile ice pack.”

“Old ice” comprised 20% of the Arctic ice pack in 1985. Now, “sea ice more than 4 years old has nearly disappeared,” the researchers wrote.

Thicker, more stable sea ice that lasts multiple years without thawing is becoming scarce in the Arctic.
Thicker, more stable sea ice that lasts multiple years without thawing is becoming scarce in the Arctic.
Image: NOAA/Perovich et. al.

Ice that can survive even one summer season is becoming scarce. Thicker ice more than one year old comprised 45% of the Arctic ice pack in 1985; in 2017, it was just 21%. Likewise, the overall winter maximum ice extent in March 2017 (which includes new ice only formed that year) was the lowest on record, according to NOAA.

The winter maximum (left) and summer minimum ice extents for 2017 are shown in white; The magenta line shows the median ice maximums and minimums from 1981-2010.
The winter maximum (left) and summer minimum ice extents for 2017 are shown in white; The magenta line shows the median ice maximums and minimums from 1981-2010.
Image: NSIDC/NOAA/Fetterer et al., 2002

“Arctic paleo-reconstructions, which extend back millions of years, indicate that the magnitude and pace of the 21st century sea-ice decline and surface ocean warming is unprecedented in at least the last 1,500 years and likely much longer,” the report reads.

Image for article titled The days of the Arctic being “reliably frozen” are over
Image: NOAA/Climate.gov/Kinnard et al., 2011

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.