Iceberg severity off the Canadian east coast (an analysis of the 1991 iceberg season)

• Main Author: Salloum, Jerome Edward
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Scholars Commons @ Laurier 1993
• Subjects: Other Earth Sciences; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/374; https://scholars.wlu.ca/context/etd/article/1373/viewcontent/MM81529.PDF

The 1991 iceberg season on the Grand Banks was the second most severe on record. Over a 218-day period, a total of 2002 icebergs traversed latitude 48°N. Percentages of sightings involving medium and large icebergs greatly exceeded normal values. Thus, the season was mxtstanding, not only in terms of flux numbers, but in terms of total ice mass delivered. Assuming that this flux anomaly is the product of more efficient advection and less efficient ablation and notzsome sudden surge in upstream berg production, the study investigates various atmospheric and sea surface conditions as contributing factors to a near record iceberg year. Factors promoting more efficient advection include a strong and persistent norfihwesterly wind component which augmented current-forcing. Factors Dromoting reduced efficiency of ablation include persistence of below average water and air temperatures and an extended period of influence of wave-damping sea ice.