What happened to the Arctic Ocean during the past 40 years?
• It has grown smaller.
• It has gained more sea ice.
• It has become less salty.
• It has become warmer.
Correct Answer: It has gained more sea ice.
It has become warmer because of global warming.
During the past 40 years, several significant changes have occurred in the Arctic Ocean. Here are the specific changes that have taken place:
1. It has grown smaller: The Arctic Ocean's ice cover has been declining steadily over the past four decades. This reduction in size is primarily due to the melting of sea ice in the region.
2. It has gained more sea ice: Contrary to popular belief, the Arctic Ocean has not gained more sea ice. Instead, there has been a consistent reduction in the extent and thickness of sea ice during this period, resulting in a shrinking Arctic ice cap.
3. It has become less salty: The Arctic Ocean has undergone a process known as freshening, which means it has become less salty. This is mainly caused by the increased melting of sea ice, which dilutes the salinity of the surrounding seawater.
4. It has become warmer: Over the past 40 years, the Arctic Ocean has experienced a significant increase in temperatures. This warming trend is primarily attributed to climate change and the greenhouse gas effect. It has led to the accelerated melting of sea ice and permafrost in the region.
In summary, the Arctic Ocean has grown smaller due to the melting of sea ice, become less salty due to increased freshening from melting ice, and experienced warming temperatures over the past 40 years. However, it has not gained more sea ice; instead, it has seen a decline in its extent and thickness.
To understand what happened to the Arctic Ocean over the past 40 years, we can turn to scientific research and data. One reliable source to check is the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), which monitors the Arctic ice extent and other related information.
To find the answer to this question, we can go to the NSIDC website (nsidc.org) and navigate to the section on Arctic sea ice. Here, we can access historical observations, satellite imagery, and climate data.
Upon analyzing the available data, we find that the correct answer is: "It has grown smaller." Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant reduction in Arctic sea ice extent. This reduction is a result of global warming and climate change, leading to increased melting of the ice.
It is important to note that while the Arctic sea ice extent has been shrinking overall, there might be temporary variation or fluctuations in ice coverage from year to year. However, the long-term trend clearly indicates that the ice cover has diminished significantly since the 1980s.