Nature: Mysterious holes in Antarctic sea ice explained by years of robotic data

June 10, 2019

SOCCOM researchers Ethan Campbell, Earle Wilson, Stephen Riser, Matthew Mazloff and Lynne Talley are authors on this article documenting the first real-time monitoring of a giant hole in the Antarctic sea ice provided by SOCCOM floats:

Mysterious holes in Antarctic sea ice explained by years of robotic data

Hannah Hickey, UW News      June 10, 2019

The winter ice on the surface of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea occasionally forms an enormous hole. A hole that appeared in 2016 and 2017 drew intense curiosity from scientists and reporters. Though even bigger gaps had formed decades before, this was the first time oceanographers had a chance to truly monitor the unexpected gap in Antarctic winter sea ice.

A new study led by the University of Washington combines satellite images of the sea ice cover, robotic drifters and even seals outfitted with sensors to better understand the phenomenon. The research explores why this hole appears in only some years, and what role it could play in the larger ocean circulation. [read more]

The hole in the sea ice offshore of the Antarctic coast as seen by a NASA satellite on Sept. 25, 2017. Credit: NASA Worldview/NASA Blue Marble