Antarctic sea ice reaches third lowest maximum extent on record

Antarctic sea ice reached its third lowest maximum extent since satellite records began, NASA Earth Observatory reported on October 12, 2026. The frozen cover peaks around September at the end of the winter season in the Southern Hemisphere. The data was compiled by NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center. [1]

Unlike the Arctic ocean basin surrounded by land, the Antarctic is a continent encircled by ocean. This geographic layout allows sea ice more room to expand in winter months, but it also causes the ice to extend into warmer latitudes where it melts faster in summer. The ice typically shrinks to its annual minimum extent in February. [1]

Antarctic sea ice forms from frozen seawater in the Southern Ocean and is usually less than a few metres thick. It is distinct from glacier-formed ice shelves, which float on the ocean and can reach up to one kilometre in thickness. Sea ice is split into fast ice attached to land and floating ice floes. [3]