A Model for the Thermodynamic Growth of Sea Ice in Numerical Investigation of Climate.

A. J. Semtner

Expert InsightsPublished 1975

A model is presented whereby the thickness and extent of sea ice may be freely predicted in climate simulations. A basic one-dimensional diffusion process is taken to act in the ice, with modifications due to penetration of solar radiation, melting of internal brine pockets, and accumulation of an insulating snow cover. This formulation is similar to that of a previous study by Maykut and Untersteiner, but the introduction of a streamlined numerical method makes the model more suitable for use at each grid point of a coupled atmosphere-ocean model. In spite of its simplicity, the ice model accurately reproduces the results of Maykut and Untersteiner for a wide variety of environmental conditions. In 25 paired experiments, annual average equilibrium thicknesses of ice agree within 8 cm for half of the cases and within 20 cm for 80 percent of the cases. The new model has fewer computational requirements than one layer of ocean in the polar regions, and it can be further simplified if additional savings of computer time are desired. 33 pp. Ref.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1975
  • Pages: 33
  • Document Number: P-5432

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Semtner, A. J., A Model for the Thermodynamic Growth of Sea Ice in Numerical Investigation of Climate. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1975. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P5432.html.
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