The US Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) mapping project continues in the Arctic Ocean this summer. The USCGC Healy 1202 got underway from Barrow on August 26 with the ECS science crew on board.
Larry Mayer, Director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire/NOAA, is leading the cruise with Capt. Andy Armstrong, who is blogging about the cruise here.
Browsing the hourly images from the ship's Aloftcon camera is one way to track the remarkable absence of sea ice at various latitudes. Armstrong's blog entry for September 6 says it is shocking to see "entirely open water" at 81 degrees north, but not surprising given the regular ice reports on which they are relying.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center Arctic Sea Ice News provides frequent updates on the record Arctic sea ice minimum reached this summer. The record minimum set in 2007 was, coincidentally, reached the day Healy 1202 got underway; it has continued to drop throughout September. As NSIDC reports today, the sea ice
Captain Armstrong's blog entries for August 31 and September 5 share remarkable images from previously undiscovered seafloor features west of the Nautilus Basin.
The cruise is expected to wrap up the last week in September.
Larry Mayer, Director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire/NOAA, is leading the cruise with Capt. Andy Armstrong, who is blogging about the cruise here.
Browsing the hourly images from the ship's Aloftcon camera is one way to track the remarkable absence of sea ice at various latitudes. Armstrong's blog entry for September 6 says it is shocking to see "entirely open water" at 81 degrees north, but not surprising given the regular ice reports on which they are relying.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center Arctic Sea Ice News provides frequent updates on the record Arctic sea ice minimum reached this summer. The record minimum set in 2007 was, coincidentally, reached the day Healy 1202 got underway; it has continued to drop throughout September. As NSIDC reports today, the sea ice
"is now below 4.00 million square kilometers (1.54 million square miles).
Compared to September conditions in the 1980s and 1990s, this represents
a 45% reduction in the area of the Arctic covered by sea ice. At least
one more week likely remains in the melt season."
Captain Armstrong's blog entries for August 31 and September 5 share remarkable images from previously undiscovered seafloor features west of the Nautilus Basin.
The cruise is expected to wrap up the last week in September.
