Arctic sea ice shrank to 3.41 million km² on 16 September 2012, the lowest extent in the satellite record — about 18% below the previous record of 2007 and roughly half the 1979–2000 average minimum. As of 2026 no subsequent summer has beaten it.
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Arctic sea ice shrank to 3.41 million km² on 16 September 2012, the lowest extent in the satellite record — about 18% below the previous record of 2007 and roughly half the 1979–2000 average minimum. As of 2026 no subsequent summer has beaten it.
The lowest Arctic sea-ice extent (area with at least 15% ice concentration) recorded since satellite monitoring began in 1979.
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Permanent ID limitsregistry.com/limits/LR-LOWEST-ARCTIC-SEA-ICE-MINIMUM
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Limits Registry. LR-LOWEST-ARCTIC-SEA-ICE-MINIMUM. Lowest Arctic sea-ice extent on record. 2026.