Is the North Pole ice cap shrinking?

VIDEO CNN's Natalie Pawelski looks at what scientists think may be causing the loss of ice at the North Pole Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     ALSO Satellite sees through Arctic ice for signs of climate change

ATLANTA (CNN) -- The Arctic ice cap covers an area roughly the size of the United States. When tourists recently discovered a large open area of water at the North Pole, it surprised both them and scientists.

The hole in the North Pole opened up a debate about whether it is a sign of ice pack meltdown, a part of the natural cycle of melting and freezing or a sign of slow permanent change.

This report explains the different theories and how the outcome could affect everyone.

NASA confirms Greenland ice cap melting
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Arctic expert unthaws alarming data on ice thinning
January 3, 2000

Greenland's Receding Ice
North Pole Environmental Observatory: The Changing Arctic
Study of Environmental Arctic Change

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