Detailed accounts kept by European explorers of the Arctic in the 1700s suggest that ice conditions then were not too different from the current situation. For years, Arctic residents and scientists have been concerned about the thinning of Arctic ice and the effect on the ecosystem. This recent finding does not alleviate all concern, but simply suggests that the current situation may be within the natural cycle of sea ice changes. If so, the ice should start thickening soon, researchers say. “I would say that in about 10 years time we'll know whether this is a human effect or not,” Norwegian researcher Chad Dick said.
