Exclusive: Scientists track sharp drop in oldest, thickest Arctic sea ice. - 2010 melt season ends, likely setting the record for lowest volume

Last week, National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) director Mark Serreze said, "Every bit of evidence we have says the ice is thinning."  Monday, NSIDC scientist Julienne Stroeve sent me this figure from a forthcoming article using data provided by J. Maslanik and C. Fowler (click to enlarge):

This is the end-of-winter sea ice extent in the Arctic Basin, broken down by age.  Stroeve explains:

This figure would support thinning of the icepack over the last couple of decades since older ice...