John Lees

This year there has been a remarkable, unexpected drop in the extent of the sea ice surrounding Antarctica. It's not part of the long term trend, but came pretty much out of the blue. It can be seen from this graph that as recently as 2014 sea ice tracked way ABOVE the 1981-2010 average.
Does anyone happen to know why we are seeing this collapse in 2023?


Tim adds:

The graph suggests it's a cyclical melting. But there may be more to it.

Undersea volcanism plays a big part of the ice pack in Antarctica. I rather suspect hat is the case. Of course the Gang Green will say it is a collapse caused by global warming, but then that is their reaction to any stimulus, great or small. If the price of butter beans rises a penny they blame Global Warming.

One year ago there was concern about a major volcanic eruption under the ice there. https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1645540/antarctica-underground-volcano-caverns-rising-sea-levels-spt If that was belching heat for the last year it could explain the drop in sea ice. It would suggest that all the volcanoes around the continent were more active.

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