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Arctic sea ice extent

Arctic sea ice melts each summer, typically reaching its minimum extent in September. This graphic shows the September sea ice minimum for each year since 1979:

Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center
Published September 26, 2025
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Minimum arctic sea ice extent

8

million square kilometres

6

4

2

0

1980s

’90s

’00s

’10s

’20s

Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center

Minimum arctic sea ice extent

8

million square kilometres

6

4

2

0

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center

Minimum arctic sea ice extent

8

million square kilometres

6

4

2

0

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Note: 2025 is preliminary.

Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center

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Citation

SRM360 (2025) – "Arctic sea ice extent" [Infographic]. Published online at SRM360.org. Retrieved from: 'https://srm360.org/infographic/arctic-sea-ice-extent/' [Online Resource]

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