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NASA and NSIDC scientists report that

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sea ice in the Arctic reached an annual minimum extent of 1.7

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million square miles on September 11th, 2015.

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According to scientists, it is the fourth lowest extent on record.

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Scientists have continuously monitored Arctic sea ice using satellites

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since 1979. Compared to the 30-year average

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from 1981-2010, this year's minimum extent

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is 699,000 square miles lower a difference an area

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comparable to the state of Alaska. Scientists have observed a

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trend in declining sea ice coverage over the past three decades.

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Satellite measurements show 10 record minimums have occurred in the last

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11 years. Measurements also show that more than the thin seasonal ice

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is melting. The thicker and slower growing multi-year ice is becoming

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increasingly less resilient. As a result, scientists say