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The Arctic polar ice mass can be defined as sea ice covering the majority of the Arctic Basin. The Arctic Basin is essentially the Arctic Ocean enclosed by Eurasia, Greenland and North America.
Global view of the Arctic polar ice mass (March, 2008 maximum sea ice extent)
Image Credit:NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
The Arctic polar ice mass has a winter maximum extent of approximately 4.25 million square kilometers (April 2009) and has replenished from its seasonal low of approximately 2.5 million square kilometers (September 2008). Providing perspective, the size of the Arctic polar ice mass (maximum extent) is larger than all three Canadian territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut) combined!
Global view of the Arctic polar ice mass (September, 2008 minimum sea ice extent)
Image Credit:NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio
The Arctic Basin typically holds both the bulk of the Arctic’s sea ice as well as its older multi-year ice, which normally withstands numerous melt seasons before either melting or exiting the area via ocean currents.
Due to its size and the sea ice characteristic to efficiently reflect incoming solar radiation from the sun, the Arctic polar ice mass is an essential component to balancing ocean circulation temperatures. In short, the Arctic polar ice mass can be considered a foundational entity in promoting an equilibrium balance in terms of climate globally. | 
