Modeling the effects of sea ice on Arctic delta evolution: A case study on the Colville River Delta, AK ...

• Main Author: Cooper, Caroline
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries 2023
• Subjects: Arctic; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17615/6zk6-4119; https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/8049gh05t

Seasonal sea ice coverage impacts Arctic delta morphology by limiting wave and river influences. Despite known impacts, limited research has been performed to understand the effects of sea ice on delta morphodynamics. To address this gap, a 1D morphologic and hydrodynamic model was constructed in Delft3D-FLOW to simulate the development of the Colville River Delta, AK. Simulations showed ice-affected deltas develop a compound clinoform morphology – in other words, a coupled subaerial and subaqueous delta separated by a subaqueous platform that resembles the shallow 2-m subaqueous platform observed only on Arctic deltas. Nearshore sea ice and riverine forcing promoted sediment bypassing and were the key drivers behind platform formation. Future simulations showed Arctic deltas may lose the shallow platform feature on centennial timescales. This study highlights the importance of sea ice on Arctic delta morphology and the potential morphologic transitions these high-latitude deltas may experience as the Arctic ...