Air-ice-ocean momentum exchange. Part I: Energy transfer between waves and ice floes

Abstract

The energy exchange between ocean surface waves and ice floes in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) involves the scattering and attenuation of wave energy and the excitation of oscillation modes of the ice floes, as open ocean waves propagate into the MIZ. Heave, pitch, and roll modes of oscillation are linked to estimation of wave scattering and attenuation. A model is presented for wave attenuation and compared to measurements from the Marginal Ice Zone Experiments in the Greenland Sea, as reported by Wadhams et al.