Sea ice concentration in the Arctic & Antarctica on the Spilhaus map

Earth’s fragile polar regions help regulate climate, support thriving marine ecosystems, and play a vital role in global environmental balance.

The poles are some of the most dynamic—yet fragile—regions on Earth.

Sea ice ebbs and flows with the seasons, reflecting solar radiation and helping cool our climate.

Even in the polar night, phytoplankton and microbes thrive under thick layers of ice, fueling a robust ecosystem.

WHOI research to understand changes at the poles is essential for biodiversity, sea- level stability, and Earth’s environmental balance.

(Map by Natalie Renier, WHOI Creative)

SOURCES
Daily percent ice fraction and edge at 10 km resolution spanning March 2023 – March 2025. Generated using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information (CMEMS); https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00134.

SEARCH RELATED TOPICS: Frozen ocean

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