On August 9, 2016, the VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP satellite captured this image centered on Canada featuring a nearly ice-free Northwest Passage. (Image: NOAA. Animation: Tom Yulsman) The largest cruise ship ever to attempt a complete transit of the usually ice-choked waters of the famed Northwest Passage is just days away from weighing anchor. And at least for now, it looks like the coast is almost clear for the Crystal Serenity with its 1,070 passengers and 655 crew members. As of Aug. 11, 2016, sea ice is nearly gone from the southern route of the passage, according to NOAA.
Click to enlarge. The animation at the top of this post shows the mostly ice-free route, as seen by the Suomi NPP satellite on August 9th. Have a look to get your bearings, then click on the thumbnail at right to see the full-sized, unannotated version. (Click it again ...
