Multi-scale satellite observations of Arctic sea ice: new insight into the life cycle of the floe size distribution.

ABSTRACT: This study provides a new conceptional framework to understand the life cycle of the floe size distribution of Arctic sea ice and the associated processes. We derived the floe size distribution from selected multi-scale satellite imagery data acquired from different locations and times in the Arctic. Our study identifies three stages of the floe size evolution during summer - 'fracturing', 'transition' and 'melt/wave fragmentation'. Fracturing defines the initial floe size distribution (N ∼ d^-α, where d is floe size) formed from the spring breakup, characterized by the single power-law regime over d = 30-3000 m with α [Formula: see text] 2. The initial floe size distribution is then modified by various floe fragmentation processes during the tr

SUBMITTER: Hwang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9464514 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature