Animation of Annual Variation in Sea Ice Extent in the Southern Hemisphere

Animation of Annual Variation in Sea Ice Extent in the Southern Hemisphere
by Lisa Gardiner Windows to the Universe

This animation shows the annual variation of sea ice extent in the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout the winter the cold temperatures freeze more and more of the water in the Southern Ocean, gradually building up a layer of ice on the surface that covers millions of square kilometers. This ice pack generally reaches its maximum extent around September.