Sea ice deformations during the MOSAiC expedition

During the MOSAiC field campaign several sea ice deformation events were detected. Based on digitized ship radar data, these animations show two major deformation events. The first one occurred in November 2019 when the pack ice was cold and compact. Consequently, deformations were localized and intermittent and shear-dominated. The other case shows the final breaking of the drifting station due to ocean eddies at the marginal ice zone on June 2020. 

This animation covers a 7.5 km x 7.5 km area around the r/v Polarstern. Strength of backscattering is related to sea ice roughness. Level ice and leads are manifested as dark areas. Ridges and edges of fractures provides strong echoes, i.e. shows as bright color.  Horizontal resolution of images is 8.3 meters.