About The Arctic
The Arctic is centered on the Arctic Ocean and includes northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Sea ice, tundra, permafrost, long seasonal darkness, and long summer daylight shape life there.
Arctic Ocean
The North Pole sits on a largely ice-covered ocean rather than a continent.
Learn MoreSea Ice
Sea ice forms from freezing seawater.
Learn MoreTundra
Treeless tundra surrounds much of the Arctic.
Learn MorePermafrost
Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.
Learn MoreExtreme Daylight
Earth's tilt creates polar day and polar night.
Learn MoreWildlife
Polar bears, seals, whales, caribou, foxes, birds, and fish use Arctic habitats.
Learn MorePeople
The Arctic is home to millions of people.
Learn MoreRapid Change
The Arctic is warming faster than the global average.
Learn MoreArctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest major ocean and connects with the Atlantic and Pacific through narrow gateways.
Sea Ice
It expands in winter and shrinks in summer, creating habitat for seals, polar bears, algae, and many other organisms.
Tundra
Low temperatures, short growing seasons, wind, and frozen ground favor mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and low shrubs.
Permafrost
Its upper active layer can thaw each summer, allowing plants to grow.
Extreme Daylight
Near the Arctic Circle, summer days become extremely long and winter days extremely short.
Wildlife
Many species migrate long distances or rely on seasonal bursts of productivity.
People
Indigenous peoples and other northern communities live across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia.
Rapid Change
Sea ice loss, thawing permafrost, changing ecosystems, and coastal erosion are major scientific concerns.