ICE DYNAMICS.

Abstract

Sea ice dynamics is reviewed on the geophysical scale. The role of ice dynamics in air-sea-ice interaction is discussed. The review includes the following: a) a discussion of the momentum balance describing ice drift, b) an examination of the nature of sea ice rheology on the geophysical scale, c) an analysis of the relationship between ice strength and ice thickness characteristics, and d) a discussion of the role of ice dynamics in the atmosphere-ice-ocean system. Because of the unique, highly nonlinear nature of sea-ice interaction, special attention is given to the ramifications of ice interaction on sea ice motion and deformation. These ramifications are illustrated both by analytic solution and by numerical model results. In addition, the role of ice dynamics in the atmosphere-ice-ocean system is discussed in light of numerical modeling experiments, including a fully coupled ice-ocean model of the Arctic-Greenland-Norwegian seas.