Ice ridges in landfast ice of Shokal'skogo Strait

Victor V Kharitonov

doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2019-43

Abstract

Three first-year ice ridges have been examined with respect to geometry and morphology in landfast ice of Shokal'skogo Strait (Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago) in May 2018. Two of the studied ice ridges were located on the edge of the ridged field and were part of it, because their keels extended for a long distance deep into this field. Ice ridges characteristics are discussed in the paper. These studies were conducted using hot water thermal drilling with computer recording of the penetration rate. Boreholes were drilled along the cross-section of the ridge crest at 0.25 m intervals. Cross-sectional profiles of ice ridges are illustrated. The maximal sail height varied from 2.9 up to 3.2 m, the maximal keel depth varied from 8.5 up to 9.6 m. The average keel depth to sail height ratio varied from 2.8 to 3.3, and the thickness of the consolidated layer was 2.5-3.5 m. The porosity of the non-consolidated part of the keel was about 23-27%. The distributions of porosity versus depth for all ice ridges are presented.

Highlights

Studies of morphometric characteristics of ridged features as the thickest areas of ice cover, unlike similar studies of the morphometry of non-deformed ice, do not have a rich history, and the amount of currently available observational data cannot be considered sufficient (Sudom & Timco 2013)
Under the conditions of changing climate, reduction of ice area in the Arctic Ocean and decreasing ice thickness, any information on the internal structure of modern ice ridges is of undoubted value
This paper presents the information on morphometric characteristics and the internal structure of three ice ridges in landfast ice of Shokal'skogo Strait in the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago obtained between April, 13 and May, 31, 2018 (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Studies of morphometric characteristics of ridged features as the thickest areas of ice cover, unlike similar studies of the morphometry of non-deformed ice, do not have a rich history, and the amount of currently available observational data cannot be considered sufficient (Sudom & Timco 2013). Minimum/average/maximum level ice thickness nearby ice ridge [m] Average thickness of ice blocks in the ice ridge sail [m]

Results

Conclusion