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First Observations of a Transient Polynya in the Last Ice Area North of Ellesmere Island
Author(s) -
Moore G. W. K.,
Howell S. E. L.,
Brady M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl095099
Subject(s) - arctic , climatology , geology , arctic ice pack , oceanography , the arctic , sea ice , cryosphere , physical geography , geography
The area to the north of Ellesmere Island and Greenland contains the Arctic's thickest ice and it is predicted to be the last to lose its perennial ice, thus providing an important refuge for ice‐dependent species. There is however evidence that this Last Ice Area is, like the entire Arctic, undergoing rapid changes that may reduce its suitability as a refuge. During May 2020, a polynya developed to the north of Ellesmere Island in a region where there are no reports of a previous development. We use a variety of remotely sensed data as well as an atmospheric reanalysis to document the evolution and the dynamics responsible for the polynya. In particular, we argue that anomalously strong divergent winds associated with an intense and long‐lived Arctic anti‐cyclone contributed to the development of the polynya as well as similar previously unreported events in May 1988 and 2004.