Antarctic sea ice falls to lowest level since measurements began in 1979

A large iceberg disintegrates off Antartica in 2020. Data shows the sea ice in the Southern Ocean has fallen to its lowest level in more than 40 years. Photograph: MOD/AFP/Getty Images

Sea ice around Antarctica has dropped to its lowest level in more than 40 years, according to preliminary data from satellites.

Climate scientists say the record drop can’t yet be linked to global heating but urgent research is needed to work out why the region’s sea ice had broken a record last set only five years ago.