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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
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Simulating Impacts of Ice Storms on Forest Ecosystems
Published on: June 30, 2020
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Modelling the Arctic wave-affected marginal ice zone: a comparison with ICESat-2 observations
G Boutin1, T Williams1, C Horvat2
1Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, N-5007 Bergen, Norway.
Summary
This study compares a coupled wave-ice model's marginal ice zone (MIZ) extent with satellite data. The model shows good agreement, particularly in winter, but underestimates autumn MIZ extent, suggesting areas for model improvement.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
- Sea Ice Physics
Background:
- The marginal ice zone (MIZ) is a critical region for energy and momentum exchange between the ocean and atmosphere.
- Accurate modeling of MIZ dynamics is essential for understanding Arctic climate change and its impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of a 25 km resolution coupled wave-ice model in representing the MIZ extent.
- To compare model outputs with pan-Arctic sea-ice data derived from ICESat-2 altimetry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a coupled wave-ice model with a 25 km resolution.
- Defined MIZ based on monthly maximum wave height.
- Compared model results with ICESat-2 derived sea-ice regions (December 2018-May 2020).
- Developed evaluation metrics accounting for sparse satellite data coverage.
Main Results:
- The model's MIZ extent generally aligns with observations, showing better agreement during winter.
- A sensitivity study indicated a need for strong wave attenuation in thick ice and weaker attenuation during ice formation.
- The model underestimates MIZ extent in autumn, potentially due to limited wave growth in partially ice-covered areas or overestimated sea-ice concentration.
Conclusions:
- The coupled wave-ice model demonstrates reasonable skill in simulating MIZ extent, especially in winter conditions.
- Model underestimation in autumn highlights the need to refine processes like wave growth and sea-ice concentration representation.
- Wave-induced ice fragmentation appears to have a minor impact on ice dynamics at the investigated climate scales.
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