Arctic Ice Withdrawal Shatters Record

US Scientists have confirmed that Arctic sea ice shrank to the smallest area on record this year. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) said the minimum extent of 1.59 million square miles was reached on September 16. This figure shatters all previous satellite surveys, including the previous record low measured in 2005. The Northwest Passage was open earlier this month. This year, ships have been able to complete navigation of the fabled Arctic shipping route from the Atlantic to the Pacific which is normally ice-bound at some location throughout the year.