The red line indicates the median minimum extent of the ice cover for the period 1979–2000. This figure compares the Arctic sea-ice extent in September for the years 1982 (the record maximum since 1979) and 2005 (the record minimum). The ice extent was 7.5 million km2 in 1982 and only 5.6 million km2 in 2005, a difference of 25 per cent. As has been observed in other recent years, the retreat of the ice cover was particularly pronounced along the Eurasian coast. Indeed, the retreat was so pronounced that at the end of the summer of 2005 the Northern Sea Route across the top of Eurasia was completely ice-free. Please note that this has been updated with 2007 extent: maps.grida.no/go/graphic/arctic-sea-ice-minimum-extent-in...
: Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal: Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
From collection: Global Outlook for Ice and Snow