An Examination of the Wrangel Island Sea Ice Thickness Dipole

A distinct sea ice thickness dipole is observed around Wrangel Island, with thicker ice accumulating on its eastern side and thinner ice persisting to the west due to the Beaufort Gyre's influence. This phenomenon, present year-round but most pronounced in January (with a ~1 m difference), reverses during atmospheric circulation shifts. The dipole is linked to opposing ice divergence and convergence across the western Arctic, potentially affecting ocean circulation and ecosystems in the Chukchi Sea. Additionally, it contributes to the transient opening of a polynya west of the island during spring.

Ross, S., Moore, G. W. K., & Laidre, K. L. (2024). An Examination of the Wrangel Island Sea Ice Thickness Dipole. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 129(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023jc020425