Contributions of growth and deformation to monthly variability in sea ice thickness north of the coasts of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Issue 15 (8th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwok, R.; Cunningham, G. F.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 15(2016)
• Page Start: 8097
• Page End: 8105
• Publication Date: 2016-08-08
• Subjects: sea ice -- deformation -- growth -- Arctic Ocean; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL069333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Regional variability in monthly CryoSat‐2 sea ice thickness is partitioned into contributions from dynamics and thermodynamics using ice deformation calculated from large‐scale ice drift. For five winters (December to April, 2011–2015), over a region of persistent convergence north of the coasts of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, deformation explains ~34% of the overall variance (up to 69% in 2014/2015) in monthly thickness changes. Approximately 42–56% (or ~ 0.6 m) of the seasonal changes in mean regional ice thickness can be attributed to divergence and shear. The estimated area‐averaged growth of 0.12 ± 0.03 m/month compares favorably with measurements from ice mass balance buoys. Examination of the time‐variable thickness distributions shows areas covered by ice < 3 m are reduced, while areas of thicker ice (>3 m) increased. Albeit at fairly coarse resolution, this coupled analysis of thickness changes and deformation offered a first look at the character of the regional thickness redistribution process. Key Points: Coupled analysis of satellite sea ice thickness and deformation offers a first look at the contributions of growth and deformation Results suggest ~42–56% of increase in mean regional ice thickness may be attributed to divergence and shear Thick ice production here could potentially be useful for diagnosing summer ice behavior