Earth’s Cryosphere, 2022, Vol. XXV, No. 5, p. 19-22

INTERANNUAL VARIATIONS OF MAXIMAL FAST ICE EXTENT IN THE EAST SIBERIAN SEA

V.V. Selyuzhenok

Zubov State Oceanographic Institute, Roshydromet, Kropotkinskij per. 6, Moscow, 119034, Russia; v1selyuzhenok@oceanography.ru

The paper presents the data on maximal extent of the East Siberian Sea fast ice and its variability based on the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute operational sea ice chart for the period from 1999 to 2019. The maximal fast ice extents were compared to the ERA5 reanalysis local winds. The analysis of the maximal fast ice variability showed no statistically significant changes between 1999 and 2019. Two typical configurations of fast ice edge were revealed for the winter month characterized by the maximal fast ice extent. In some seasons fast ice development stops, once the edge reaches 20 m depths, while in other season the fast ice edge advances to 30 m depths. The maximal fast ice extent is reached during the seasons with prevailing onshore northerly and north-easterly wind. The onshore wind favors sea ice deformation and grounding at the seaward fast ice edge.

Landfast sea ice, sea ice, stamukhas