Open Northwest Passage, 2012 C014 / 0112

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Open Northwest Passage, 2012 C014 / 0112

Open Northwest Passage. Satellite image of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago taken on the 3rd August 2012. Sea ice has receded enough to open up the route, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Northwest Passage opened for the first time in 2007. Since then a species of plankton that was exclusively found in the Pacific has been found in the North Atlantic. There is also evidence that Pacific and Atlantic populations of bowhead whales have begun to overlap. The declining sea ice is due to global warming, the Arctic temperature having risen by 1.7-2.2 degrees Celsius in the past century. Image taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASAs Terra satellite

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Media ID 9219335

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2000s Arctic Arctic Circle Canada Channel Channels Clear Climate Change Coast Coastline Connecting Connection Declining Disappearing Earth Observation Environmental Global Warming Greenland Island Islands Meteorological Meteorology Modis North Pole Northwest Passage Open Opening Passage Passages Receding Route Satellite Satellite Image Sea Ice Strait Terra Weather Canadian Arctic Archipelago Connexion Decline Declined Disappeared Minimum Navigable Receded Straits

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> Science > Space Exploration > Planets > Earth

> Science > Space Exploration > Satellite Imagery

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Open Northwest Passage, 2012 C014 / 0112" showcases the remarkable transformation occurring in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Taken on August 3rd, 2012 by NASA's Terra satellite using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument, it reveals a significant development - the opening of the Northwest Passage. The receding sea ice has created an unprecedented opportunity to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through this once impassable route. Since its first opening in 2007, this passage has become a symbol of our changing planet due to global warming. The rising temperatures have caused a decline in sea ice, with Arctic temperatures increasing by approximately 1.7-2.2 degrees Celsius over the past century. As nature adapts to these changes, intriguing ecological shifts are taking place. A species of plankton previously exclusive to the Pacific Ocean has been discovered in North Atlantic waters since the passage opened up. Additionally, evidence suggests that bowhead whales from both oceans now overlap their populations as they navigate through this newly accessible channel. This image serves as a powerful reminder of how human activities impact our environment and climate systems on a global scale. It highlights not only geographical connections but also environmental consequences that reverberate across ecosystems and species distribution patterns. Let us reflect upon this photograph as we strive for sustainable solutions to mitigate further damage and preserve Earth's delicate balance for future generations.

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