Wave-Ice Interactions: Closing the Arctic Data Gap

Sea ice plays an important role for the Arctic environment - floating ice influences Arctic ecosystems as well as global solar reflection

and ocean and atmospheric circulation. As a consequence of global warming, the Arctic sea ice cover has reduced in extent and has

shifted from predominantly multi-year to seasonal ice over the last couple of decades. The entire Arctic Ocean is now approaching a

marginal ice zone (MIZ; extends between fast ice and open ocean and comprises a variety of different forms of ice) in the summer

season, where surface waves play an increasingly important role.

Economical and geopolitical interest in the polar region combined with the withdrawal of the Arctic ice cover has led to increased

human activity in the region. New shipping routes, exploitation of natural resources and research activities are some examples. Such

activities raise the need for better wave forecasts in the MIZ to ensure safe operations. Therefore, improved physical understanding of

atmosphere-ocean mechanisms, such as wave-ice interactions are important in the process of global circulation and climate models.