Arctic sea ice's decline decade to decade

Arctic-wide, sea ice extent has been declining decade to decade, though not every year sets a new record. The chart tracks the amount of ocean with at least 15% sea ice cover, measured in square kilometers.

Satellites have provided coverage of the Arctic since 1979. 1 square kilometer = 0.386 square miles.
Chart: The Conversation, CC-BY-ND Source: National Snow and Ice Data Center Get the data