Arctic sea ice shrinking to a record low

Aug. 27, 2012

Q: Researchers say a combination of long-term climate change and unusual weather patterns are causing both the Arctic sea ice and the Greenland ice sheet to shrink to record lows this year. Find the map of the Arctic Ocean.

Circle the area on this map

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Q: European scientists reported last week the Arctic sea ice has already thawed to a record low, surpassing the previous 2007 minimum. The Arctic thaw is expected to continue into September. When does the Arctic ice sheet reach its annual maximum?

A. December

B. January

C. February

D. March

Q: While scientists are using satellites to measure the shrinking Arctic sea ice, researchers at the other end of the world have used ice cores to find the temperatures in Antarctica are the warmest in 12,000 years. Which is colder the North Pole or the South Pole?

A. North

B. South

C. Both the same

Q: Why is the South Pole colder?

A. Earth orbit

B. Elevation

C. Amount of ice

D. Wind

Q: What are the latitudes of the geographic North and South poles?

A. 0 degrees North and 0 degrees South

B. 0 degrees and 180 degrees

C. 90 degrees North and 90 degrees South

D. 360 degrees and 180 degrees

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Answers for this quiz: Click here