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Description

The growth and decay of the grounded ice feature, located at approximately 160°W 72°N, labeled variously as “Katie’s Floeberg”, a “berg field”, and an “island of grounded ice”, has been analysed in relation to the prevailing surface winds and surface temperature measurements taken at nearby Barrow, Alaska. The primary source of data were Landsat I and II imagery obtained between 1973 and 1976. Three major factors were found to influence the growth and decay of the feature: 1) ice uniformity, 2) surface windspeed and directions, and 3) surface temperatures. Of these, the wind appears to be the dominating factor. The typical growth pattern was found to be the formation of a cone-shaped projection of fractured ice pointing into the oncoming ice. The permanence of the new addition was found to be dependent upon wind and temperature conditions. Remains of these growth patterns can be sometimes seen in the interior of the feature on the satellite imagery. The feature was found to undergo decay throughout the summer, starting in June, until early fall when the growth pattern resumes. However, some years it may disappear altogether by fall and be rebuilt over the winter and spring.

Publication Date

3-17-1978

Keywords

Sea ice, Remote sensing, Artificial satellites, Arctic Ocean, Chukchi Sea, Glaciology

Handle

http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15495

Growth and decay of

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