Polar Ice Cap Collection

A view of melting sea ice on the Arctic Ocean. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

A polar bear, Ursus maritimus. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

A polar bear, Ursus maritimus. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

Close-up of a polar bear, Ursus maritimus, on the North polar ice pack. Arctic Ocean

A resting polar bear, Ursus maritimus. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

Hikers walk in a verdant valley near the terminus of Svartisen Glacier. Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, Svartisen, Norway

A polar bear, Ursus maritimus, walking the melting sea ice. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

Melting Arctic sea ice. North polar ice cap, Arctic Ocean

HMS Tireless is shown surfacing in the North Pole ice cap region
HMS Tireless is shown after surfacing in the North Pole ice cap region. The crew are waving to a supply plane as it prepares to land at the US Navys Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (APLIS)

Svalbard Islands maritime map

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Polar Ice Cap, north of Spitsbergen, Norway

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Polar Ice Cap, 81 degrees, north of Spitsbergen, Arctic, Norway, Europe

Mars, 1950s telescope image C016 / 6321
Mars, 1950s telescope image. Dating from February 1956, this observation of Mars was obtained by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore and his wife Kathy kayaking with a leopard seal near Danco Island
Michael Nolan / SpecialistStock

Arctic ice minimum extent, 2012
Arctic ice minimum extent. Satellite image showing the Arctic polar ice cap at its annual minimum extent on 16th September 2012

Arctic ice minimum extent, 2013 C017 / 3623
Arctic ice minimum extent. Satellite image showing the Arctic polar ice cap at its annual minimum extent on 12th September 2013

Arctic ice minimum extent, 2012 C014 / 2330
Arctic ice minimum extent. Diagram showing the Arctic polar ice cap at its annual minimum extent on 16th September 2012. The Arctic sea ice (white) reaches a minimum in September

Artic sea ice coverage, 1980 C014 / 4710
Artic sea ice coverage, 1980. Map showing the changes in Arctic sea ice coverage from 1st November 1979 to 31st January 1980

Lowells observations of Mars. Percival Lowell (1855-1916) was a US astronomer who was one of the proponents of the theory that the straight lines some observers saw on Mars were canals

Adult kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) on an ice floe at sunset near the Antarctic peninsula in the southern ocean
Michael Nolan / SpecialistStock

kayaking with a leopard seal near Danco Island, Antarctica. The Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)
Michael Nolan / SpecialistStock

Adult leopard seal on ice floe in Antarctica. The Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)
Michael Nolan / SpecialistStock

Longyearbyne, Svalbard, Norway
Andrew Stewart / SpecialistStock

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Exploring the Polar Ice Cap: A Journey to the Frozen North" Embark on a captivating expedition through the vast expanse of the Polar Ice Cap, located north of Spitsbergen in Norway's Svalbard Islands. This maritime map guides us through this icy realm, where nature's wonders unfold. As we venture into this frozen wilderness, we encounter the majestic polar bear (Ursus maritimus), gracefully navigating its icy habitat. These magnificent creatures are perfectly adapted to survive in this harsh environment, relying on their thick fur and layers of blubber to withstand freezing temperatures. At 81 degrees north of Spitsbergen lies an Arctic paradise that showcases both beauty and resilience. Here, amidst towering ice formations and glistening glaciers, life thrives against all odds. The HMS Tireless emerges from beneath these frozen waters, reminding us of humanity's quest for knowledge even in such remote regions. Beyond our own planet lies another intriguing connection – Mars. In the 1950s telescope image C016/6321, we catch a glimpse of Mars' surface resembling our very own polar ice caps. It serves as a reminder that Earth is not alone in possessing such unique features within our solar system. Returning to Earth's northernmost reaches near Spitsbergen once more, we witness polar bears roaming freely across the pristine white landscape. Their presence symbolizes both vulnerability and strength as they adapt to changes brought about by climate change and diminishing sea ice. The Arctic ice minimum extent records provide crucial insights into environmental shifts over time. The years 2012 and 2013 witnessed significant reductions in ice coverage—an alarming trend that calls for urgent action to protect these fragile ecosystems. Exploring the Polar Ice Cap unravels tales of survival against adversity while highlighting mankind's impact on these delicate environments. Let us strive towards preserving these breathtaking landscapes so future generations can continue marveling at their magnificence.