Arctic Ice Animation

Just logging in ready to start my working day, and checked my e-mails to find the latest issue of Google Earth Sightseer.
This is a free bulletin which you can sign up for, or you can read back copies HERE at the bulletin board.
Animation is a feature of the latest version of Google Earth.

The animation takes the form of a number of KMZ files (files viewable in Google Earth)

Last year, the arctic sea ice melted further than ever recorded by scientists. The northwest passage across northern America was ice free and boats could easily make the passage. Polar bears and other arctic animals experienced extreme environmental change that threatened their survival.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center has produced Google Earth visualizations letting you see daily ice concentrations in the Arctic. Using time animations you can witness the current and recent melting conditions. Already this year looks like it will be nearly as serious as last year. You can choose between 30-day , 60-day , or 90-day animations (the larger the size, the more memory your computer will need). NOTE: the magenta line represents the median ice extent. See their other animation showing the extent of ice melting of ice since 1979. More examples of Google Earth content at the NSIDC.

An excellent way of dramatising the rate of change in this part of the world.