Abstract
This article investigates the penetration of ocean waves into the marginal ice zone (MIZ), observed by satellite, and likewise provides a basis for the future cross-validation of respective models. To this end, synthetic aperture radar images from the TerraSAR-X satellite (TS-X) and numerical simulations of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) are used. The focus is an event of swell waves, developed during a storm passage in the Atlantic, penetrating deeply into the MIZ off the coast of Eastern Greenland in February 2013. The TS-X scene which is the basis for this investigation extends from the ice-free open ocean to solid ice. The variation of the peak wavelength is analysed and potential sources of variability are discussed. We find an increase in wavelength which is consistent with the spatial dispersion of deep water waves, even within the ice-covered region.
Highlights
The interaction of water waves with sea ice has various implications involving interdisciplinary fields of research
The TerraSAR-X satellite was launched in June 2007 and its normal operation started in January 2008
The retrieval of significant wave height from TerraSAR-X satellite (TS-X) images is based on empirical algorithms and so far its robustness has only been proven in ice-free water
Summary
The interaction of water waves with sea ice has various implications involving interdisciplinary fields of research. Over the last few decades, the propagation of ocean waves into the marginal ice zone (MIZ) was investigated by in situ measurements in field campaigns, by remote sensing methods, and by laboratory experiments using ice tanks These studies ranged from waves in frazil and pancake ice to waves encountering ice floes. Notable insight into ocean waves in sea ice was gained from SAR satellite images. Was subject to two major swell systems: waves of ∼350 m length propagating in the north-north-east to north-east direction through the Denmark Strait, and clearly shorter waves of ∼200 m travelling in west to west-south-west direction This sea state encounters the MIZ at a significant wave height of around 4 m. Relevant geographical positions and orientations are highlighted by an auxiliary map panel
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