Weddell Sea polynya analysis using SMOS-SMAP apparent sea ice thickness retrieval

Abstract

The Weddell Sea is known to feature large openings in its winter sea ice field, otherwise known as open-ocean polynyas. An area within the Weddell Sea region that has repeatedly featured open-ocean polynyas in the past is that which encompasses the Maud Rise seamount. Within this area, after 40 years of intermittent, smaller openings, a larger, more persistent polynya appeared in early September 2017ĝ ĝ ĝ ĝ ĝ ĝ ĝ and remained open for approximately 80ĝd until spring ice melt. In this study we present proof that polynya-favorable activity in the Maud Rise area is taking place more frequently and on a larger scale than previously assumed. By investigating thin (