Figure 1 (IMAGE)

Research Organization of Information and Systems

Figure 1

Caption

(a) Interannual variability in Arctic sea-ice extent maximum (1979–2026).
In 2026, the annual maximum extent reached a record low of 13.76 million square kilometers on March 13 (indicated by the red circle). Sea ice extent was calculated using 5-day running averages as finalized data. A blue line shows a long-term trend (44,000 km2/year).

(b) Arctic sea-ice extent from January 1 to May 31 for 1979–2026.
The 2026 extent is shown in an orange thick line (through March 18), the 2025 in a blue thick line, the 2012 in a black thick line, and other years as black thin lines. The 2010s (2011–2019) mean is indicated by the black dashed line. Here, sea-ice extent was calculated using a five-day average. Blue and orange circles indicate the sea-ice extent maximum in 2025 and 2026, respectively. 

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NIPR/JAXA

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