High-frequency reflection coefficient of sea ice

Abstract

This article describes a simple one-parameter model of the high-frequency reflection coefficient of sea ice. Sea ice is modeled as a layered Biot Stoll medium over a viscoelastic half-space. The viscoelastic half-space represents the columnar zone of sea ice, and the layered Biot Stoll layer represents the dendritic layer of sea ice. The model uses APL/UW’s Biot model of the elastic moduli of sea ice to parametrize the sound velocity in the columnar zone as a function of the temperature and salinity of the sea ice in the columnar zone. The model also uses APL/UW’s Biot model of the elastic moduli of sea ice to parametrize the sound velocities in the dendritic layer as a function of the porosity of the dendritic layer. The dendritic layer is assumed to have a linear porosity profile. The model predicts that the sound velocity transitions from 1800 m/s at the ice water interface to 3700 m/s at the ice–ice interface at the columnar zone.