Large expanse of pack ice at above 80 degrees north and only 600 nautical miles from the North Pole
Sea ice has an important effect on the heat balance of the polar oceans, since it insulates the (relatively) warm ocean from the much colder air above, thus reducing heat loss from the oceans. Sea ice is highly reflective of solar radiation, reflecting about 60% of incoming solar radiation when bare and about 80% when covered with snow. This is due to a feedback known as the albedo effect. This is much greater than the reflectivity of the sea (about 10%) and thus the ice also affects the absorption of sunlight at the surface
Size: 4000px × 3000px
Location: 80degrees 12' 3" north in the Norse Banken sea, Norway
Photo credit: © Bridget Clyde / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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