Sea Ice in the Beaufort Sea

From the time Europeans discovered the North American continent to the mid-twentieth century, sailors searched for a northwest passage that would connect the Atlantic Ocean (and Europe) to the Pacific Ocean (and Asia). No such passage exists through the continent, but during the summer, a northwest route through the Arctic opens up.

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NASA images courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC

Published August 1, 2006
Data acquired July 25, 2006

Source:

Terra > MODIS