ESSIC Assistant Research Scientist Richard Cullather was cited for his expertise on the variability in the distribution of sea ice in an article in the University Herald.
According to the Herald, although the artic experienced less ice loss this year than last year, the trend of declining ice is still a big concern in the area.
Many factors influence the amount of ice loss that occurs annually, including long winters/shorter summers and the average thickness of the ice, since thinner ice melts faster.
Cullather explained that the amount of pressure in the region can be a determining factor in the amount of ice loss. This year, pressure was low, resulting in cloudy and windy weather conditions which helped block out the sun and reduce melting, he said.
