Embedded Sea Ice Model with Tidal Forcing May Improve Climate Projections

University of Alaska researchers developed a numerical model of the ice-covered Arctic ocean that includes tides. They used a highly innovative approach that embeds the sea ice directly into the ocean model. The results of the model compare favorably with observations when contrasted to similar comparisons with more coventional modeling efforts. These results are important because improved modeling of the rapid openings and closings of fractures in the sea ice may improve our ability to model Arctic processes such as heat and moisture flux from the sea to the atmosphere, the growth of new sea ice, and the generation of brine from growing sea ice. The findings further establish the nation as a global leader in fundamental and transformational science and engineering.