북극해 얼음 면적 역대급 감소...관측 사상 두 번째로 작아
Ice in the Arctic Ocean this summer melted to the second lowest level in the four decades since records began in 1979.
According to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, this year's sea ice minimum measured at 3-point-seven-four million square kilometers on September 15th.
The only time it was lower was in 2012, when ice shrank to 3-point-four-one million square kilometers.
Scientists warn the thickness of the Arctic sea ice has been on a continuous downward trend.
Experts attributed this year's melt to heat waves and forest fires, and stressed the need to combat global warming.
