This two-hour module examines sea ice, icebergs, and the products and services of the National Ice Center and the North American Ice Service. Topics include climatology and current trends in sea ice extent and thickness; the development, classification, and drift of sea ice and icebergs; fractures, leads and polynyas; and the satellite detection of sea ice using visible, infrared, and microwave sensors.
Have an account?
Sign In to write a review.
Mission
- Recall the mission of the National/Naval Ice Center (NIC).
- List and describe the routine products available from the NIC.
- Explain the procedure to request support from the NIC.
Ice Climatology
- On a map, show the geographical area seasonally affected by sea ice and icebergs.
- Recall the general time frame of when each of the geographical areas would see ice formation and melt.
- Describe current and forecast trends in sea ice extent.
Ice Physics
- Describe the processes affecting heat loss from a body of water.
- Describe the development of sea ice from first stage of ice crystal formation to an ice sheet.
- Describe the stages of sea ice melting.
- Given a description of winds and currents, estimate the drift of sea ice.
Ice Types
- Recall and define the WMO categories of sea ice.
- Describe the origin and classification of icebergs.
- Define the following terms:
- brash ice, fast ice
- fracture, lead, polynya
- ice edge, marginal ice zone, pack ice
- Describe the different elements of the ice code as used in the WMO egg code seen on ice charts.
- Describe coding for sea ice in a synoptic observation.
Detecting Ice
- Describe how sea ice is detected using environmental satellites.
- Interpret a Daily Ice Edge Forecast for the Arctic Ocean or Bering Sea.
- Identify the sea ice edge and marginal ice zone on NIC daily product.
National Ice Center, sea ice,iceberg, Arctic,Antarctica,frazil, grease ice,nilas,grey ice,grey-white ice,pancake ice,pressure ridge,first-year ice,multi-year ice,fast ice,brash ice,floe,melt pond,brine exclusion,fracture,lead,polynya,egg code,RADARSAT
July 2014: Although the annual sea ice status has changed since this lesson was published, the conclusion is unchanged. The International Ice Patrol website has changed, but the products are still current.
