Towards a three-dimensional model of wave-ice interaction in the marginal ice zone

Abstract

Over the past forty or so years, considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the effects of ocean waves on sea ice, and vice versa, with observations, experiments and theory all playing their part. Recent years have seen the development of ever more sophisticated mathematical models designed to represent the physics more accurately and incorporate new features. What is lacking is an approach to three-dimensional scattering for ice floes that is both accurate and efficient enough to be used as a component in a theory designed to model the passage of directional wave spectra through the marginal ice zone. Bennetts & Williams (J. Fluid Mech., 2010, this issue, vol. 662, pp. 5-35) have brought together a number of solution techniques honed on simpler problems to provide just such a component. © 2010 Cambridge University Press.