I've always been interested in this topic. The amount of ice that is melting has surpassed predictions, several times. It just amazes me how quickly things are changing.

The ice in the Arctic has reached its lowest extent for 2008.

The orange line in the Arctic Ocean shows the normal edge of the ice extent, that is, the average from 1979 to 2000. The chart shows the reduction of ice extent so far this year, 2007 and average. The black cross in the center of the map is the north pole. To see the daily extent of sea ice and more information, check out the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Comparing Sept. 2007 to Sept. 2008, ice melting opened the Northern Sea Route. The Northwest Passage has opened for the last two years. Read more about these passages.

Images courtesy of National Snow and Ice Data Center and United Nations Environment Programme.