The Northwest Passage
is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean along the northern coast of North America via the waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Scientists have confirmed that in August, Arctic sea ice shrank to its lowest levels since satellite measurements began monitoring the region nearly 30 years ago.
This previously impassable shortcut between Europe and Asia in the Canadian Arctic, has now opened due to the shrinking of Arctic sea ice thanks to global warming.
The satellite picture above provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) showing a clear Northwest Passage (orange line) and a minimally blocked Northeast Passage (blue line).
Sources: Melting Arctic Opens Up Northwest Passage @ Fox
Melting ice opens Northwest Passage @ Aljazeera