Ice Roads22 Mar 2024 18:41
I little piece of info found on the internet;
Reduced Ice Road Areas: The study, based on satellite data from 1979 to 2017, reveals that significant areas that were once suitable for ice-road construction have shifted to being unsuitable. Across the Arctic, ice road seasons are getting shorter, and the areas suitable for traveling on ice roads are getting smaller.
Alaska-Specific Changes: In Alaska, the most significant changes occur in December and April. However, even during the prime winter months of January, February, and March, there have been losses of suitable ice road conditions.
Shrinking Potential Ice Roads: The study demonstrates that potential ice roads have shrunk significantly over the past few decades. Factors such as later onset and earlier end to cold conditions contribute to a decreasing potential ice road construction time window in the Pan-Arctic.
Commercially, ice roads are crucial on the North Slope, where oil companies use them to access exploration and development sites. These roads help prevent damage to the tundra and permafrost during winter exploration activities. However, as ice road areas diminish, it becomes more challenging to maintain these critical transportation routes.
Lets hope we finish before the ice melts.