On the results of studying ice ridges in the Shokal'skogo Strait, part I: Morphology and physical parameters in-situ

Abstract

The paper presents information on the studies of the first-year ice ridges conducted by the AARI experts in April–May 2016 in the Shokal'skogo Strait (Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago) using hot water drilling with computer recording of the penetration rate. Boreholes were drilled along the cross-section of the ridge crest at 0.25 m intervals mainly. The results of a detailed study of one of the ice ridges are presented. The sail height varied from 2.5 up to 3.4 m, the keel depth varied from 8.3 up to 10.3 m. The average thickness of the consolidated layer was 2.2–2.4 m. Cross-sectional profiles of the ice ridge are illustrated. Ratio of the mean CL thickness of ice ridge to the mean thickness of level ice was equal 1.7. The distribution of salinity in the upper part of the CL is Z-shaped, and on the scale of the entire ice column, C-shaped. The CL growth rate is approximately twice as high as the growth rate of level ice. It was detected that the ridged ice was slightly stronger than the level ice. The porosity of the ice ridges is investigated in Part II.