Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) study the levels of Arctic ice and snow each year to measure the fluctuations of the ice cap. And this year, they found the level of ice in the Arctic shrank to its second-lowest level ever, just under the record low levels of freeze found in 2007.

However, observers at the NSIDC said 2011’s figures may be more alarming because weather patterns were normal—as opposed to the odd weather in 2007 that may have sped melting.