Arctic Ice Won’t Let Go: The Surprising Truth Behind the Northwest Passage

Despite overall declines in the thickness and extent of Arctic sea ice, shipping routes along the northern coast of North America have become less navigable in recent years.

The Northwest Passage, a challenging Arctic route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, has seen fewer than 400 voyages since 1906 due to treacherous ice conditions. Recent studies suggest that while climate change has reduced overall ice thickness, older, thicker ice remains, impeding navigation by clogging crucial choke points.

Since the first vessel transited the fabled Northwest Passage in 1906, fewer than 400 voyages through it have been recorded. Treacherous and unpredictable Arctic waters challenge seafarers navigating the cluster of islands north of mainland Canada. The passage remains enticing, however, for the distance it can save on the journey between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.