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Westarctica (talk | contribs) (Created page with "400px|thumb|Arctic sea ice '''Sea ice''' arises as seawater freezes. Because ice is less dense than water, it floats on the ocean's surface (as doe...") |
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Much of the world's sea ice is enclosed within the polar ice packs in the Earth's polar regions: the Arctic ice pack of the Arctic Ocean and the [[Antarctic]] ice pack of the [[Southern Ocean]]. Polar packs undergo a significant yearly cycling in surface extent, a natural process upon which depends the Arctic ecology, including the ocean's ecosystems. Due to the action of winds, currents and temperature fluctuations, sea ice is very dynamic, leading to a wide variety of ice types and features. | Much of the world's sea ice is enclosed within the polar ice packs in the Earth's polar regions: the Arctic ice pack of the Arctic Ocean and the [[Antarctic]] ice pack of the [[Southern Ocean]]. Polar packs undergo a significant yearly cycling in surface extent, a natural process upon which depends the Arctic ecology, including the ocean's ecosystems. Due to the action of winds, currents and temperature fluctuations, sea ice is very dynamic, leading to a wide variety of ice types and features. | ||
Sea ice may be contrasted with icebergs, which are chunks of [[ice-shelf|ice shelves]] or [[glacier]]s that calve into the ocean. Depending on location, sea ice expanses may also incorporate [[ | Sea ice may be contrasted with icebergs, which are chunks of [[ice-shelf|ice shelves]] or [[glacier]]s that calve into the ocean. Depending on location, sea ice expanses may also incorporate [[iceberg]]s. | ||
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||