What Is Nilas? Arctic's Thin New Ice Explained
🕐 7 min read | 🌍 Natural Wonders 🔒 Key Takeaways Nilas is paper-thin new ice (2-10 cm thick) that forms when seawater freezes in calm Arctic conditions Unlike thicker multi-year ice, nilas can form and melt within days, making it highly vulnerable to climate warming Arctic nilas extent has decreased by approximately 15% per decade over the last 40 years due to rising temperatures Nilas plays a critical role in Arctic ecosystems, providing nursery habitat for amphipods and other under-ice organisms Picture the Arctic Ocean's surface freezing so delicately that a single slab looks like translucent parchment. This gossamer-thin ice is called nilas—and it's one of nature's most ephemeral wonders. What makes this paper-thin new ice Arctic crucial to understanding polar climate collapse? Table of Contents What Exactly Is Nilas Ice? How Does Nilas Form in the Arctic? Nilas vs. Other Arctic Ice Types The Climate Change Threat to Nilas Why Nilas Matters for ...