AN ANALYSIS OF THE SHAPES OF SEA-ICE RIDGES

An analysis has been made of the salient features of 112 first-year an d 64 multi-year sea ice ridges. Based on this information, the importa nt characteristics of the ridges have been related through simple equa tions. In particular, the ratio of the keel-depth to sail-height was f ound to be 4.4 for first-year ridges, and 3.3 for multi-year ridges; t he ratio of the keel-area to sail-area was 8.0 for first-year ridges a nd 8.8 for multi-year ridges. Also, for first-year ridges, the ratio o f the keel-width to sail-height was approximately 15, and the ratio of the keel-width to keel-depth was 3.9. An analysis of the sail and kee l angles indicates a distribution of values with an average sail angle of 21 degrees for temperate ridges, and 33 degrees for ridges in the Beaufort Sea. In this paper, the results of this analysis are describe d, and the important ridge characteristics are discussed.