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Smoother sea ice with fewer pressure ridges in a more dynamic Arctic

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Krumpen

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Luisa Albedyll

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • H. Jakob Bünger

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
    Drift & Noise Polar Services)

  • Giulia Castellani

    (Fram Centre)

  • Jörg Hartmann

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Veit Helm

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Stefan Hendricks

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Nils Hutter

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
    Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research)

  • Jack C. Landy

    (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Simeon Lisovski

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Christof Lüpkes

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Jan Rohde

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Mira Suhrhoff

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Christian Haas

    (Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
    University of Bremen)

Abstract

Pressure ridges, formed by sea ice deformation, affect momentum transfer in the Arctic Ocean and support a larger biomass than the surrounding-level ice. Although trends in Arctic sea ice thickness and concentration are well documented, changes in ridge morphology remain unclear. This study provides airborne-based evidence of a shift towards a smoother ice surface, with fewer pressure ridges and reduced surface drag, attributed to the loss of old ice. Furthermore, an increase in seasonal ice cover enhances overall deformation in the Arctic and acts as a negative feedback mechanism on pan-Arctic ridge morphology: the greater the proportion of seasonal ice, the higher the pan-Arctic mean ridge rate, dampening an overall decline in ridges with age. While thinner and less frequent ridges benefit industries such as shipping, these changes are likely to have profound impacts on the energy and mass balance and the ecosystem of the Arctic Ocean.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Krumpen & Luisa Albedyll & H. Jakob Bünger & Giulia Castellani & Jörg Hartmann & Veit Helm & Stefan Hendricks & Nils Hutter & Jack C. Landy & Simeon Lisovski & Christof Lüpkes & Jan Rohde & Mir, 2025. "Smoother sea ice with fewer pressure ridges in a more dynamic Arctic," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 66-72, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:15:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41558-024-02199-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02199-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ilka Peeken & Sebastian Primpke & Birte Beyer & Julia Gütermann & Christian Katlein & Thomas Krumpen & Melanie Bergmann & Laura Hehemann & Gunnar Gerdts, 2018. "Arctic sea ice is an important temporal sink and means of transport for microplastic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
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