Melting of Arctic’s ‘Last Ice Area’, earlier than expected

A part of the Arctic’s ice called the “Last Ice Area”, located north of Greenland, has melted before expected.
Researchers note that in August 2020, the area where the Last Ice Area (LIA) is located, experienced a record low concentration of sea ice.

About the Last Ice Area

• In the condition of the disappearance of summer ice in the Arctic by the year 2040, the only place that would be able to withstand a warming climate would be the area of ice called the “Last Ice Area”.
• This piece of ice is situated above northern Canada and Greenland.
• It is expected to last the longest time.
• WWF-Canada was the first to call this area the ‘Last Ice Area’.
  
  
  

Significance of the area:

• The area is important because it was thought to be able to help ice-dependent species as ice in the surrounding areas melted away.
• The area is used by polar bears to hunt for seals who use ice to build dens for their offspring.
• Walruses too, use the surface of the ice for foraging.

Reasons behind the change:

• About 80 percent of thinning can be attributed to weather-related factors such as winds that break up and move the ice around.
• The remaining 20 percent can be attributed to the longer-term thinning of the ice due to global warming.