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Ridging definition only cover subaerial component #14

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andypbarrett opened this issue Dec 17, 2024 · 0 comments
Open

Ridging definition only cover subaerial component #14

andypbarrett opened this issue Dec 17, 2024 · 0 comments

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@andypbarrett
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The current definition is

process that occurs when wind, ocean currents, and other forces push sea ice around into piles that rise and form small mountains above the level sea ice surface; ridges are initially thin and transparent with very sharp edges from blocks of ice piling up; also see keels.

This definition seems to miss the key points of ridging.

  1. Ridges form as a result of compressive forces mostly from surface winds but also from ocean currents. The description mentions other forces but I can't think what they are.
  2. Compressive forces cause the sea ice to fracture into blocks.
  3. The blocks are pushed upwards and downwards to form "sails" and "keels"
  4. "small mountains" seems a bad description. Ridge is a common term. Ice blocks push upwards onto floes have formed sails up 13 m above the surrounding ice surface.
  5. Keels are between 3 to 4 times deeper than sails.
  6. It is not clear what "ridges are initially thin and transparent with very sharp edges from blocks of ice piling up" refers to. It might be better to say that blocks become consolidated/fused over time. During the melt season ridge sails and keels melt but that their thickness means that they tend to survive longer than unridged ice - ridged ice forms a lot of multi-year ice.
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