Melt Ponds (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption Melt ponds -- water pooled on sea ice and ice sheets -- absorb more heat and light than the surrounding bright ice, making it appear different to both people and Earth-observing satellites. Credit NASA/Katheryn Hansen Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.