Antonino Ian Ferola
ABSTRACT Subject :
The role of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge in establishing the northward extent of Antarctic sea-ice
Tipe of Presentation: Oral
Topic: Physical oceanography
COAUTHORS :
Yuri Cotroneo
University of Napoli Parthenope
State : Italy
e-Mail : yuri.cotroneo@uniparthenope.it
Peter Wadhams
Marche Polytechnic University
State : Italy
e-Mail : peter.wadhams@gmail.com
Giannetta Fusco
University of Napoli Parthenope
State : Italy
e-Mail : giannetta.fusco@uniparthenope.it
Pierpaolo Falco
Marche Polytechnic University
State : Italy
e-Mail : pierpaolo.falco@staff.univpm.it
Giorgio Budillon
University of Napoli Parthenope
State : Italy
e-Mail : giorgio.budillon@uniparthenope.it
Giuseppe Aulicino
University of Napoli Parthenope
State : Italy
e-Mail : giuseppe.aulicino@uniparthenope.it
Abstract Published : 01/02/2023 09:33:47
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Monitoring the Antarctic sea-ice is essential for improving our knowledge of the Southern Ocean. We used satellite sea-ice concentration data for the 2002-2020 period to retrieve the sea-ice extent (SIE) and analyze its variability in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. Results provide observational evidence of the recurring formation of a sea-ice protrusion that extends to 60° S at 150° W during the winter season. These activities are carried on in the framework of the ACCESS and SWIMMING projects of the PNRA. Our findings show that the northward deflection of the southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current front is driven by the Pacific Antarctic Ridge (PAR) and is associated with the enhanced sea-ice advance. The PAR also constrains anticyclonic and cyclonic eddy trajectories, limiting their interaction with the sea-ice edge. These factors, within the 160° W - 135° W sector, determine an average SIE increase of 61,000 km2 and 46,293 km2 per year more than the upstream and downstream areas, respectively.