The first satellite specifically designed to study the thickness of the polar caps of the Earth, showed that sea ice in the Arctic is disappearing much faster than expected.

CryoSat-2 (the image of the European space Agency).

Preliminary results obtained by the European CryoSat probe-2, saying that last summer of the Arctic ocean has disappeared 900 km3 of ice. This is 50% higher than most forecasts. The pace after several years, the Arctic will be completely ice-free in summer.

Instruments other satellites have already shown that the spreading area of summer ice in the Arctic from year to year is reduced. This time it was clear what the scientists had suspected before: at the same time there has been a dramatic thinning of ice. For example, in the area North of Canada and Greenland, where ten years ago, the thickness of summer ice regularly stood at $ 5-6 meters, now it barely reaches three meters.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the disappearance of summer sea ice will allow humanity to get our hands on Arctic fish stocks and mineral resources (primarily oil), and to build new sea route. Actually all very sad. Without a bright Arctic "cover" the sun's rays will not be reflected back to space, and absorbed by the ocean, resulting in the Arctic will get even stronger than it is now. The water temperature will rise, and deposits of methane at the bottom will melt, going into the atmosphere. Now methane streams are found here and there. And this, by the way, especially potent greenhouse gas, which will accelerate global warming. Add to that the rapid melting of glaciers in Greenland and sea level rise.

Former Director of the British Antarctic survey Chris reply reminds about another consequence: "With the further falling of the temperature gradient between the Arctic ocean and the equator jet stream in the upper atmosphere will become even more unstable, that can mean increased variability of weather in the lower latitudes".

CryoSat-2 was launched rocket "Dnepr" from Baikonur cosmodrome April 8, 2010. Previous satellites measuring ice thickness was handled poorly. American probe ICESat made several important measurements of ice thickness, but he worked with interruptions and managed to capture only a few areas, disconnecting in 2009. Besides it lasers could not penetrate clouds, and CryoSat-2 is equipped with special radar, for which there is no interference.

Sea-ice cover in the Arctic varies significantly during the year, reaching a maximum in March. In the winter of 2004 the volume of sea ice in the Central Arctic was about 17 thousand km3, and this winter is around 14 thousand But a real shock were the summer indicators: about 13 thousand km3 in 2004 and 7 thousand - in 2011, has lost almost half. If trends continue, the Arctic will be completely free of summer ice in ten years.

Although this is only the preliminary results of the model suggest that the rate of ice loss over time will only increase, so there is something to think about.

Prepared according to The Guardian.