Wave–Ice Interactions

Abstract

To guide proper navigation, engineering, and regulatory actions, it is necessary to understand wave–ice interactions. Seafarers have long known that ice fields provide safe barriers against storms due to their energy damping capability. However, long‐period swells may penetrate an ice cover over extensive distance. When coupled with warmer air temperature, waves may break ice covers. A broken ice field drifts and rafts. There is a large body of theoretical development of waves under ice covers, particularly in the recent couple of decades. On the other hand, the effect of waves on forming and reforming the ice cover is a much less‐studied topic. In the first half of this article, we review the basic theories of waves under ice covers to provide a foundation for those who desire to explore the recent developments. The effect of waves on ice is introduced in the second half of the article.

Response of Dry and Floating Saline Ice to Cyclic Compression

“…Sea ice cover is often exposed to ocean waves, a topic that has lately drawn an increasing amount of interest (Ardhuin et al., 2018; Boutin et al., 2018; Murdza et al., 2022; Shen, 2017; Squire, 2020). This interest partly stems from the warming climate, which leads to an increase in storm severity and an associated acceleration of ice cover breakup.…”

The flexural strength of bonded ice

“…Insight into the strength of the bonds is important when, for example, the strength of an ice cover formed of refrozen floes or the strength of an ice rubble pile is estimated. There are several factors that affect the failure of a cover of sea ice, surface waves being a major one that has gained an increasing amount of interest recently (Shen, 2017;Squire, 2020). Under the action of waves, ice covers bend and may undergo flexural failure (Ardhuin et al, 2020;Asplin et al, 2012;Collins et al, 2015;Hwang et al, 2017;Kohout et al, 2014Kohout et al, , 2016Shackleton, 1982).…”