An Analysis of Sea Ice Thickness (SIT) during the Anomalous Antarctic Sea-Ice Retreat of 2016

Keywords: Sea-ice, Antarctica, Southern Ocean, Dynamic and Thermodynamic changes
Session Type: Virtual Guided Poster Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 40

Abstract

Antarctic sea-ice extent has been slowly increasing over the past 4 decades. This positive trend was interrupted in 2016 when an overall Antarctic sea ice extent in the spring of 2016 attained a record minimum for the satellite period. This anomalous decay presented an abrupt departure from the record maxima from previous years and the slight upward trend since 1979. A number of studies have tried to explain this anomalous decrease in sea ice focusing on sea-ice concentration and extent to explain the 2016 decay in the sea-ice and its variability around Antarctica. However, the amount of ice loss, and the size of energy fluxes exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere are yet to be accounted for. Therefore, to address  this gap in the sea-ice distribution studies, we examine satellite-derived SIT data spanning the period 2002-2018. We also look at the spatial and temporal variation of SIT, regionally as well as for the system as a whole. Our results demonstrate a slight dip in the overall as well regional SIT during  the sea-ice decay event between 2016-2017. Furthermore, regional heterogeneities showed higher SIT concentrated in the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Seas, while lower SIT was observed in the Ross Sea. These initial results represent the starting point for more extensive sea-ice distribution studies focusing upon SIT and volume in order to understand the changes in SO sea-ice. This is important as it may help to clarify the dynamic and thermodynamic contributors to this decline, and  additionally, the drivers of sea ice variability.