Evidence of Abrupt Transitions Between Sea Ice Dynamical Regimes in the East Greenland Marginal Ice Zone

Watkins, Daniel M.; Bliss, Angela C.; Hutchings, Jennifer K.; Wilhelmus, Monica M.

doi:10.1029/2023gl103558

Title: Evidence of Abrupt Transitions Between Sea Ice Dynamical Regimes in the East Greenland Marginal Ice Zone

Journal Article · Mon Jul 31 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl103558· OSTI ID:1993342

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Brown University, Providence, RI (United States)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States)
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (United States)

Abstract Sea ice modulates the energy exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean through its kinematics. Marginal ice zone (MIZ) dynamics are complex and are not well resolved in routine observations. Here, we investigate sea ice dynamics in the Greenland Sea MIZ using in situ and remote sensing Lagrangian drift datasets. These datasets provide a unique view into ice dynamics spanning spatial scales. We find evidence of tidal currents strongly affecting sub‐daily ice motion. Velocity anomalies show abrupt transitions aligned with gradients in seafloor topography, indicating changes in ocean currents. Remote‐sensed ice floe trajectories derived from moderate resolution satellite imagery provide a view of small‐scale variability across the Greenland continental shelf. Ice floe trajectories reveal a west‐east increasing velocity gradient imposed by the East Greenland Current, with maximum velocities aligned along the continental shelf edge. These results highlight the importance of small scale ocean variability for ice dynamics in the MIZ.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; National Science Foundation (NSF); National Aeronautics and Space Administration; US Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC1301652; 13016524

OSTI ID:: 1993342

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1993750; OSTI ID: 1995323

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 50 Journal Issue: 15; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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