We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Smoother sea ice with fewer pressure ridges in a more dynamic Arctic
Summary
Researchers used airborne measurements to show that Arctic sea ice surfaces are becoming smoother, with fewer pressure ridges, as older ice is replaced by thinner seasonal ice. They found that while the loss of ridged old ice reduces surface drag, the increase in seasonal ice actually creates more overall deformation across the Arctic. These changes have significant implications for Arctic shipping, ocean energy balance, and the ecosystems that depend on ridged ice habitats.
Abstract Pressure ridges, formed by sea ice deformation, affect momentum transfer in the Arctic Ocean and support a larger biomass than the surrounding-level ice. Although trends in Arctic sea ice thickness and concentration are well documented, changes in ridge morphology remain unclear. This study provides airborne-based evidence of a shift towards a smoother ice surface, with fewer pressure ridges and reduced surface drag, attributed to the loss of old ice. Furthermore, an increase in seasonal ice cover enhances overall deformation in the Arctic and acts as a negative feedback mechanism on pan-Arctic ridge morphology: the greater the proportion of seasonal ice, the higher the pan-Arctic mean ridge rate, dampening an overall decline in ridges with age. While thinner and less frequent ridges benefit industries such as shipping, these changes are likely to have profound impacts on the energy and mass balance and the ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean.
Sign in to start a discussion.