Ice patterns and icebergs are seen in Croaker Bay near Devon Island in Canada's Arctic, July, 2008.JONATHAN HAYWARD/The Canadian Press
Arctic sea ice levels have reached their third-lowest level on record.
Scientists at the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center say sea ice across the Arctic has reached the end of the summer melt and is now starting to refreeze.
Suggestions earlier this summer that the ice was recovering have now been ruled out and it seems the long-term decline is continuing.
The only years that had less Arctic sea ice were 2007 and 2008.
The fourth-lowest year on record was in 2009.
The ice has pulled back so far that two ships are now attempting a polar circumnavigation of the globe by sailing along both the Canadian and Russian Arctic coastlines.