Big Part of Antarctic Ice Missing

By Jessica Moran

Topic: Climate Change

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 2:19pm

About 650,000 square kilometers of winter sea ice in West Antarctica did not form this year. This is very unusual.

In short:

A large area of winter sea ice in West Antarctica, about the size of France, did not form this winter. This is worrying scientists.

Researchers say this loss is because of a warming climate and could have big effects on the environment.

What's next?

Scientists will keep watching to see if any of the ice forms later this winter. They will also study the link between ocean warming and the long-term decline in sea ice.

Scientists say a region on the west side of Antarctica is missing a big chunk of winter sea ice, about the size of France. This is causing concern that it may never form again.

Satellite images of the Bellingshausen Sea, which is usually covered in ice in June, show that the area is mostly ice-free this year.

The images show that about 650,000 square kilometers of winter sea ice did not form.

The Bellingshausen Sea is off the coast of West Antarctica.

Sea ice researcher Dr. Will Hobbs said, 'It is concerning, absolutely.'

The extent of ice at Antarctica, as of June 11, 2026.

Dr. Hobbs said he has been watching the satellite images of the area daily since April and was not surprised to see this year's decline.

Dr. Hobbs said, 'It's a very unusual spot oceanographically. It's relatively warm and has a close relationship with warm ocean waters.'

Dr. Hobbs said, 'We will probably see a little bit of ice form this year in August and September. But I don't think we will see a lot form there anymore.'

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Sea ice levels in Antarctica have been changing since 2023, which had 1.5 million square kilometers less ice than previous years.

Dr. Hobbs said Antarctic ice cover in 2023 was particularly 'shocking'.

Dr. Hobbs said, 'It was really a very big deal for sea ice research.'

Dr. Hobbs said, 'It was really extreme low sea ice cover in winter, which was unusual.'

Observed Antarctic sea ice extent levels, with 2026 depicted with a blue line.

Dr. Hobbs said the continued loss of sea ice would impact marine life and overall sea levels.

Dr. Hobbs said, 'Sea ice is part of the ocean so it doesn't directly contribute to sea level rise, but it acts as a protection on the ice shelves that do contribute to sea level.'

Antarctic sea ice breaking up in September 2023.

Sea ice changes are expected in the years to come.

Physical oceanographer Edward Doddridge said he was no longer surprised by sea ice loss.

Australian and international scientists used satellite imagery to study the collapse of a New York City-sized ice shelf in Antarctica.

Dr. Doddridge said, 'It's not good news, but it has become a pattern that we're expecting now.'

Dr. Doddridge said there were several factors thought to be involved in why sea ice levels were changing.

Dr. Doddridge said, 'As scientists, when we say something is directly caused by something, we want to have all of the evidence.'

Dr. Doddridge said, 'For sea ice, warmer ocean temperatures have a big impact.'

Dr. Doddridge said, 'We don't yet have the evidence to link those temperatures to the sea ice loss.'

Dr. Doddridge said, 'That's our hypothesis, and we're pretty certain it's going to be shown to be correct.'

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 2:19pm

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:00pm

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