Articles | Volume 15, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4999-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4999-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Brief communication
| 
29 Oct 2021
Brief communication |
| 29 Oct 2021
| 29 Oct 2021
Brief communication: The anomalous winter 2019 sea-ice conditions in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
National School of Surveying, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Kate E. Turner
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
Maren E. Richter
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Maddy S. Whittaker
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Inga J. Smith
Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Using a geophysical technique, we observe temporal variability in the influence of ice shelf meltwater on coastal sea ice which forms platelet ice crystals which contribute to the thickness of the sea ice and accumulate into a thick mass called a sub-ice platelet layer (SIPL). The variability observed in the SIPL indicated that circulation of ice shelf meltwater out from the cavity in McMurdo Sound is influenced by tides and strong offshore winds which affect surface ocean circulation.
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Short summary
McMurdo Sound sea ice can generally be partitioned into two regimes: a stable fast-ice cover forming south of approximately 77.6° S and a more dynamic region north of 77.6° S that is regularly impacted by polynyas. In 2019, a stable fast-ice cover formed unusually late due to repeated break-out events. This subsequently affected sea-ice operations in the 2019/20 field season. We analysed the 2019 sea-ice conditions and found a strong correlation with unusually large southerly wind events.
McMurdo Sound sea ice can generally be partitioned into two regimes: a stable fast-ice cover...
