Abstract
Recent satellite observations yield estimates of the distribution of sea ice thickness across the entire Arctic Ocean. While these sensors were only placed in operation within the last few years, information from other sensors may assist us with estimating the distribution of sea ice thickness in the Arctic beginning in the 1980s. A previous study found that the age of sea ice is correlated to sea ice thickness from 2003 to 2006, but an extension of the temporal analysis is needed to better quantify this relationship and its variability from year to year. Estimates of the ice age/thickness relationship may allow the thickness record to be extended back to 1985, the beginning of our ice age dataset. Comparisons of ice age and thickness estimates derived from both ICESat (2004–2008) and IceBridge (2009–2015) reveal that the relationship between age and thickness differs between these two campaigns, due in part to the difference in area of coverage. Nonetheless, sea ice thickness and age exhibit a direct relationship when compared on pan-Arctic or regional spatial scales.
Highlights
The area of the Arctic covered by sea ice has been decreasing since 1979, when satellites began regularly observing the spatial distribution of Artic sea ice
Decreased summer sea ice extent has been accompanied by large reductions in winter sea ice thicknesses [4] that are primarily explained by changes in the ocean’s coverage of multiyear ice (MYI) [5,6,7,8]
The approach is based on ice motion vectors derived using a cross-correlation technique applied to sequential, daily satellite images acquired by the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), the SSM/I Sounder (SSMIS), and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer—Earth
Summary
The area of the Arctic covered by sea ice has been decreasing since 1979, when satellites began regularly observing the spatial distribution of Artic sea ice. Linear trends in Arctic ice extent are negative for all calendar months, with the weakest trends in winter and the strongest in September, at the end of the melt season [1]. While a linear fit is usually used to quantify overall changes in September ice extent, the trend has accelerated in recent years. Through 2001, the linear trend in September ice extent over the satellite record was about –7.0% per decade. Per decade and the nine lowest September extents in the satellite record have all occurred in the past nine years [2,3]. Decreased summer sea ice extent has been accompanied by large reductions in winter sea ice thicknesses [4] that are primarily explained by changes in the ocean’s coverage of multiyear ice (MYI) [5,6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
