Statistical Mechanical Theory of the Ice Thickness Distribution

by Srikanth Toppaladoddi (Yale University)

Tuesday 20 Jun 2017, 13:30 → 13:30 Europe/Stockholm

THIS SEMINAR WAS ORGANIZED BY NORDITA SOFT MATTER

We study the evolution of the thickness distribution of Arctic sea ice, g(h), under climate forcing. Our analytical and numerical approach is based on a Fokker–Planck equation for g(h) in which the thermodynamic growth rates are determined using observed climatology. In particular, the Fokker–Planck equation is coupled to an observationally consistent thermodynamic model. We find that due to the combined effects of thermodynamics and mechanics, g(h) spreads during winter and contracts during summer. This behavior is in agreement with recent satellite observations. Because g(h) is a probability density function, we quantify all of the key moments (e.g., mean thickness, fraction of thin/thick ice, mean albedo, relaxation time scales) as greenhouse-gas radiative forcing increases.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 148501 (2015).
J Stat Phys 167, 683 (2017).