Melting of the the Arctic Ice Cap

Influence of Human acitivity

Burning of Fossil fuels

Incomplete hydrocarbon combustion

Deposit of Soot on Ice

Increase in Albedo

More absorption of energy from sunlight

Rising temperatures due to produced greenhouse gases

Accelerated Ice melting

The extent of the ice coverage shrinks

Ice- Albedo feed back (as more ice melts the albedo of the region is lowered by the uncovered dark ocean water or land, thus increasing the albedo even more.

Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet (97%) of the Ice sheet experienced some melting in 2012

Thawing of costal permafrost

Collapse and erosion of coastline

Decline of living space for many species of the arctic region (e.g. Polar Bears)

As the Ice uncovers new land and sea areas, humans hope to establish new resource development and new shipping lanes

Suggested shutdown of thermohaline circulation

Global chaos

Thawing of inland permafrost

Release of carbon dioxide

Release of methane

Lengthening of "growing season" in the far northern latitudes

Major changes in plant the flora and fauna scene in the tundra (taiga) ecosystem