Time Series Analysis of Sea Ice Production in Polynyas in the Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica

Abstract

The Amery Ice Shelf is a major source of sea ice, whose production is linked to the global climate. In 2019, a collapse event occurred in the Amery Ice Shelf; sea ice production before and during this collapse needs to be studied. In this study, polynyas in the Amery Ice Shelf were identified according to ice thickness, and sea ice production was obtained by calculating the heat flux during winter (March–October) in 2013–2020. It was found that the sea ice production in the polynyas fluctuated greatly, and the maximum annual ice production occurred in 2018, which reached 225.4 km3. As for the collapse event in 2019, it is assumed that it may have exacerbated the volatility and instability of sea ice production.

Keywords

• polynya
• sea ice production
• Amery Ice Shelf