Arctic Region
The North Pole (Arctic) is significantly warmer than the South Pole because it lies at sea level in the middle of an ocean (which acts as a reservoir of heat), rather than at altitude in a continental land mass. Winter temperatures at the North Pole average around −34 C. Summer temperatures average around the freezing point of 0 °C. The highest temperature yet recorded is 5 °C much warmer than the South Pole's record high of only −12.3 °C. The sea ice at the North Pole is typically around 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) thick, though there is considerable variation and occasionally the movement of floes exposes clear water. Studies have shown that the average ice thickness has decreased in recent years. Many attribute this decrease to global warming, though this conclusion is disputed by some. Reports have also predicted that within a few decades the Arctic Ocean will be entirely free of ice in the summer. |
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e-mail [email protected] Copyright Nick Hedley