Thaw out

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Thaw Out

In "On Thin Ice" (p. 12), you read that sea ice has been declining due to global warming. Below is a graph comparing Arctic sea ice coverage in each September from 1979 to 2005. Study the graph to answer the questions that follow. Use complete sentences.

1. According to the graph, the September of which year had the least Arctic sea ice coverage?

2. In the September of which year was the Arctic sea ice coverage approximately 6 million square kilometers?

3. Which two years featured above had the greatest coverage of Arctic sea ice in September? Approximately how much area did the ice cover in each of those two years?

4. Between which two years in the graph was there the greatest difference in Arctic sea ice coverage? Approximately how much did the ice coverage increase or decrease between those two years?

5. Compare the sea ice data for September 1979 and September 2005. How are they different?

Answers

THAW OUT

1. According to the graph, September 2005 had the least Arctic sea ice coverage.

2. In September 2002, the Arctic sea ice coverage was approximately 6 million square kilometers.

3. September 1980 and 1996 had the greatest coverage of Arctic sea ice. Both years had close to 8 million square kilometers of Arctic sea ice

4. According to the graph, the greatest difference in September sea ice coverage occurred between 1995 and 1996. Sea ice coverage increased close to 2 million square kilometers between those two years

5. According to the graph, there was less September sea ice in 2005 compared with 1979 In 2005, the September sea ice had decreased by approximately 1.7 million square kilometers.

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