The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Kang Do-hyung) announced that an unusually large polynya occurred in the open sea north of Siberia in the eastern Arctic in July of this year. A polynya is large area of open water surrounded by sea ice. It is predicted that larger areas of sea ice could melt around polynyas, possibly causing abnormal climate conditions on the Korean Peninsula in winter.

Typically, polynyas in the Arctic during the summer months are caused by strong winds and high temperatures that drive melting from the coast, but it is noteworthy that this polynya occurred in the open ocean, far from the coast.

The phenomenon is believed to have been caused by warmer seawater entering the ocean through ocean currents and melting sea ice, as the global sea surface temperature rose by 0.3 degrees in July compared to the same time in the previous year (from 18.5 degrees to 18.8 degrees) due to global warming.

In particular, sea ice thickness in the Arctic declined to less than one meter in July, suggesting that polynyas may become more frequent in the Arctic in the future, especially if warm ocean water enters the region. A prolonged period of polynyas could impede the expansion of Arctic sea ice in winter, which could then trigger winter cold waves on the Korean Peninsula, requiring continued monitoring and preparation.

The results were analyzed by KIOST’s Ocean Climate Prediction Center (OCPC) based on monthly average sea ice data provided by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in the United States. The OCPC provides regular analysis and forecast information on the status and trends of the global ocean as well as the waters surrounding Korea, so those interested in ocean climate can check the center’s website (http://www.ocpc.kr).