Modelling wave-induced sea ice breakup in the marginal ice zone

• Main Authors: Montiel, Fabien, Squire, Vernon A
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: arXiv 2017
• Subjects: Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics physics.ao-ph; Geophysics physics.geo-ph; FOS Physical sciences; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1705.05941; https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.05941

A model of ice floe breakup under ocean wave forcing in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) is proposed to investigate how floe size distribution (FSD) evolves under repeated wave breakup events. A three-dimensional linear model of ocean wave scattering by a finite array of compliant circular ice floes is coupled to a flexural failure model, which breaks a floe into two floes provided the two-dimensional stress field satisfies a breakup criterion. A closed-feedback loop algorithm is devised, which (i)~solves wave scattering problem for a given FSD under time-harmonic plane wave forcing, (ii)~computes the stress field in all the floes, (iii)~fractures the floes satisfying the breakup criterion and (iv)~generates an updated FSD, initialising the geometry for the next iteration of the loop.The FSD after 50 breakup events is uni-modal and near normal, or bi-modal. Multiple scattering is found to enhance breakup for long waves and thin ice, but to reduce breakup for short waves and thick ice. A breakup front marches forward in the latter regime, as wave-induced fracture weakens the ice cover allowing waves to travel deeper into the MIZ. : 32 pages, 11 figures