NASA: Arctic sea ice at 2008 low point

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says satellite data shows Arctic sea ice coverage appears to have reached its lowest extent for 2008.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo., said the sea ice coverage is the second-lowest amount seen since the dawn of the satellite era.

"While slightly above the record-low minimum set Sept. 16, 2007, this season further reinforces the strong negative trend in summer sea ice extent observed during the past 30 years," NASA said in a statement. "Before last year, the previous record low for September was set in 2005.

In March, when the Arctic reached its annual maximum sea ice coverage during the winter, scientists from NASA and the data center reported thick, older sea ice was continuing to decline. According to NASA-processed satellite microwave data, that perennial ice used to cover 50 percent to 60 percent of the Arctic, but this winter it covered less than 30 percent.

Perennial sea ice is the long-lived layer of ice that remains even when the surrounding short-lived seasonal sea ice melts to its minimum extent during the summer.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center will issue an analysis of the possible causes behind this year's Arctic sea ice conditions during the first week of October.