OCEANOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON PROJECT SKIJUMP II

• Main Authors: HOLMES, J. F., WORTHINGTON, L. V.
• Other Authors: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION MA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1953
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA; SALT WATER; AIRCRAFT; LAYERS; WATER; FRACTURE(MECHANICS); SURFACES; WINTER; FREEZING; ICE; SURFACE WATERS; PRESSURE; PATTERNS; THINNESS; TRANSITIONS; THAWING; ATLANTIC OCEAN; SALINITY; SEA WATER; CIRCULATION; DEEP WATER; SUMMER; THERMOCLINES; RIDGES; BEAUFORT SEA; POLAR REGIONS; THICKNESS; Beaufort Sea
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0011348; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0011348

Ice observations from aircraft show that thin ice is indicated by a jigsaw fracture pattern of low ridges and thick ice by heavy pressure ridges. Oceanographic data obtained in earlier expeditions are presented. Data obtained on this expedition alter the concept of water circulation in the Polar Sea. A transition layer to Atlantic water is present beneath the surface water. Polar deep water is found below the Atlantic water. The freshness of the surface layer depends more upon the distance from the source of the saline water than upon the proximity to the Siberian coast. Any body of sea water subjected to freezing in winter and thawing in summer will probably develop and maintain its own low salinity surface. A small negative thermocline was found between 50 and 150 m. The minimum temperature in the Beaufort Sea is about -.45 deg C at 2300 m.