It is extent, not area (see here for the difference - but basically: the former provides a boolean value - ice or no ice - based on a threshold; both are useful measures during the melting season), and only on the Siberian side of the arctic, but yes.
As for anyone interested in following the impact of the rapidly unfolding catastrophe that is climate change on the cryosphere, the ASIF Forums are excellent and full of knowledgeable people.
The arctic ice is lowest at the fall equinox because that is at the very end of the summer / period of arctic daylight, after it has melted all summer; after said equinox, the arctic is plunged in darkness until march, allowing the ice to refreeze.
What am I looking at
I believe total area of icecaps over the course of the year. By now, all previous years had their upswing but we are still waiting
It is extent, not area (see here for the difference - but basically: the former provides a boolean value - ice or no ice - based on a threshold; both are useful measures during the melting season), and only on the Siberian side of the arctic, but yes.
As for anyone interested in following the impact of the rapidly unfolding catastrophe that is climate change on the cryosphere, the ASIF Forums are excellent and full of knowledgeable people.
So I'm guessing the reason they're smallest at the fall equinox is it takes a while for the summer heat to actually melt them?
The arctic ice is lowest at the fall equinox because that is at the very end of the summer / period of arctic daylight, after it has melted all summer; after said equinox, the arctic is plunged in darkness until march, allowing the ice to refreeze.
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Wish i could give a yes or no, but shit goes a bit beyond my knowledge.
The lesser half of one icecap