Field studies and some results of numerical modeling of a ring structure on Baikal ice

Abstract

This work presents the results of complex analysis of the field data and of mathematical modeling of the ice ring structure more than 4 km across, which was identified by the space images of South Baikal in April 2009. The measurements revealed that the ice thickness was 74 cm in the center of the structure, decreased to 43 cm at a distance of 2 km, and increased up to 70 cm and more beyond the ring. The ice water in the central part was warmer by 0.5°C and less saline (for 2 mg/kg) relative to the periphery of the structure. According to the tracer movements, the maximum velocities of the ice currents (3–4 cm/s) were observed at a distance of 2–3 km from the center of the structure with minimum ice thickness. The event was modeled using several mathematical models of various scales. The 3-D nonhydrostatic modeling of the large-scale processes on the basis of the temperature measured in the area of the structure showed the presence of local anticyclonic circulation, where the velocities of the currents increased up to the maximum (5–7 cm/s) at the distance of 2–3 km from the center and then decreased. The variations in the ice thickness in the area of the ring structure were modeled on the basis of these calculation results. The ice thicknesses determined in the context of the Stefan problem for the 2-D axis-symmetrical temperature distribution model are close to the measured ones. According to the model, the formation of the ring structure spans a period of 25–35 days. The origination of the dark ring on the satellite images is related to the lower ice thickness relative to the ambient areas and to the water level in microfractures closer to the ice surface.