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Giant ice rings on lakes B aikal and H ovsgol: Inventory, associated water structure and potential formation mechanism
Author(s) -
Kouraev Alexei V.,
Zakharova Elena A.,
Rémy Frédérique,
Kostianoy Andrey G.,
Shimaraev Michail N.,
Hall Nicholas M. J.,
Ya. Suknev Andrey
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.1002/lno.10268
Subject(s) - geology , eddy , ice core , oceanography , geography , meteorology , turbulence
Observations of giant ice rings on Lake Baikal (Russia) have recently sparked scientific and public interest. However, there is still no clear consensus on their origins. Here, we provide an inventory of the ice rings based on satellite imagery and photography for 1974–2014. We have identified 45 rings on Lake Baikal (compared with 13 previously known) and also for the first time four rings for the neighbouring Lake Hovsgol (Mongolia). The results of our hydrographic surveys beneath the ice rings in Lake Baikal in 2012–2014 and in Lake Hovsgol in 2015 show the presence of warm double‐convex lens‐like eddies before and during manifestation of ice rings. We suggest that these eddies are the driving factor for the formation of ice rings in these lakes. We reassess the existing hypotheses of ice ring formation and discuss the potential mechanisms of eddy formation.