Research on the ice

In The Field: Canadian icebreaker Archives

The ice along [some] coastlines, and the permanent ice pack covering the central part of the Arctic Ocean, have been shrinking in recent years. What causes the dramatic retreat is not exactly known. It seems to be driven by climate warming, which is more pronounced in the Arctic than in most other parts of the world. Changes in atmospheric circulation may also play a role. But whatever the physical causes may be, shrinking and thinning sea ice will affect Arctic people and ecosystems alike. One of the purposes of this trip is to find out how.