Page 388 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology

5. What do you predict the extent of Arctic sea ice will be in 2015?

6. Graph all of the data for extent of Antarctic sea ice from 1979 to 2013, then use a ruler to draw a “best fit” line through
the points. Label the line as “Antarctic.”

2
7. What was the average annual extent of Antarctic sea ice from 2000 to 2007, in millions of km ? Show your work.

2

8. What was the average annual extent of Antarctic sea ice from 2008 to 2013, in millions of km ? Show your work.

9. Based on your graph and calculations above, would you say that the annual amount of Antarctic sea ice is decreasing,
increasing, or staying about the same? Explain.

20
Summer Extent of Sea Ice
Arctic Antarctic
Extent Extent
Year in millions in millions
of square of square
kilometers kilometers
2000 3.4 19.1 15
2001 3.5 18.4
2002 6.0 18.2
2003 6.2 18.6
2004 6.1 19.1
2005 5.6 19.2
2006 6.0 19.3
2007 4.3 19.2 Extent of Sea Ice (millions of square kilometers) 10
2008 4.7 18.5
2009 5.4 19.1
2010 4.9 19.2
2011 4.6 18.9
2012 3.6 19.4
2013 5.4 19.8
(Courtesy of National Snow and Ice 5
Data Center (NSIDC))

0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

Year
C. REFLECT & DISCUSS The changes in Arctic sea ice extent over time are not the same as the Antarctic changes. Why do
you think the two bodies of sea ice are so different, and what benefits or hazards could result if the Arctic sea ice continues
to decline?

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