Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions
We provide a quantitative explanation of the patterns commonly observed during the collision of two floating ice sheets (ice floes): simple raffing, finger rafting, or the formation of a pressure ridge. In particular, we analyze the equilibrium configurations of the ice in each of the two types of r...
Published in: | Journal of Geophysical Research |
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Language: | English |
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2016
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded |
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ftuloxford:oai:ora.ox.ac.uk:uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded 2024-10-06T13:52:44+00:00 Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions Vella, D Wettlaufer, J 2016-07-28 https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded eng eng doi:10.1029/2008JC004781 https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess Journal article 2016 ftuloxford https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 2024-09-06T07:47:36Z We provide a quantitative explanation of the patterns commonly observed during the collision of two floating ice sheets (ice floes): simple raffing, finger rafting, or the formation of a pressure ridge. In particular, we analyze the equilibrium configurations of the ice in each of the two types of rafting and show that these are only possible if the ice thickness is below a threshold value that we determine in terms of the strength and elastic modulus of the ice. We construct a regime diagram to characterize the regions of thickness-strength parameter space for which each type of deformation can occur. Using typical values for the strength of sea ice, we find that finger rafting can only occur in ice with thickness ≲8 cm, and simple rafting can typically only occur in ice with thickness ≲21 cm. These estimates are quantitatively consistent with most field observations reported in the literature. Finally, by quantifying two common complications that occur in reality, we are also able to account for some of the discrepancies between theory and observation that remain. We show that the presence of rubble may allow ice with a thickness of up to 1 m to perform simple rafting, but multiple rafting of thin sheets does not increase the maximum rafting thickness. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union. Article in Journal/Newspaper Sea ice ORA - Oxford University Research Archive Journal of Geophysical Research 113 C11 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
ORA - Oxford University Research Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftuloxford |
language |
English |
description |
We provide a quantitative explanation of the patterns commonly observed during the collision of two floating ice sheets (ice floes): simple raffing, finger rafting, or the formation of a pressure ridge. In particular, we analyze the equilibrium configurations of the ice in each of the two types of rafting and show that these are only possible if the ice thickness is below a threshold value that we determine in terms of the strength and elastic modulus of the ice. We construct a regime diagram to characterize the regions of thickness-strength parameter space for which each type of deformation can occur. Using typical values for the strength of sea ice, we find that finger rafting can only occur in ice with thickness ≲8 cm, and simple rafting can typically only occur in ice with thickness ≲21 cm. These estimates are quantitatively consistent with most field observations reported in the literature. Finally, by quantifying two common complications that occur in reality, we are also able to account for some of the discrepancies between theory and observation that remain. We show that the presence of rubble may allow ice with a thickness of up to 1 m to perform simple rafting, but multiple rafting of thin sheets does not increase the maximum rafting thickness. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Vella, D Wettlaufer, J |
spellingShingle |
Vella, D Wettlaufer, J Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
author_facet |
Vella, D Wettlaufer, J |
author_sort |
Vella, D |
title |
Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
title_short |
Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
title_full |
Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
title_fullStr |
Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
title_full_unstemmed |
Explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
title_sort |
explaining the patterns formed by ice floe interactions |
publishDate |
2016 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded |
genre |
Sea ice |
genre_facet |
Sea ice |
op_relation |
doi:10.1029/2008JC004781 https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7095143c-8534-4942-b85d-a829c91f3ded https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JC004781 |
container_title |
Journal of Geophysical Research |
container_volume |
113 |
container_issue |
C11 |
_version_ |
1812181192792866816 |