Articles | Volume 12, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2987-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2987-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description paper
| 
20 Nov 2020
Data description paper |
| 20 Nov 2020
| 20 Nov 2020
High-resolution mapping of circum-Antarctic landfast sea ice distribution, 2000–2018
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Robert A. Massom
Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Kay I. Ohshima
Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Sascha Willmes
Dpt. Environmental Meteorology, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
Peter J. Kappes
Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
Jessica Cartwright
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK
Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Richard Porter-Smith
Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Robert Massom, Phillip Reid, Stephen Warren, Bonnie Light, Donald Perovich, Luke Bennetts, Petteri Uotila, Siobhan O'Farrell, Michael Meylan, Klaus Meiners, Pat Wongpan, Alexander Fraser, Alessandro Toffoli, Giulio Passerotti, Peter Strutton, Sean Chua, and Melissa Fedrigo
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3166, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3166, 2025
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Ocean waves play a previously-neglected role in the rapid annual melting of Antarctic sea ice by flooding and pulverising floes, removing the snow cover and reducing the albedo by an estimated 0.38–0.54 – to increase solar absorption and enhance the vertical melt rate by up to 5.2 cm/day. Ice algae further decrease the albedo, to increase the melt-rate enhancement to up to 6.1 cm/day. Melting is accelerated by four previously-unconsidered wave-driven positive feedbacks.
Joey J. Voermans, Alexander D. Fraser, Jill Brouwer, Michael H. Meylan, Qingxiang Liu, and Alexander V. Babanin
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Limited measurements of waves in sea ice exist, preventing our understanding of wave attenuation in sea ice under a wide range of ice conditions. Using satellite observations from ICESat-2 we observe an overall linear increase of the wave attenuation rate with distance into the marginal ice zone. While attenuation may vary greatly locally, this finding may provide opportunities for the modelling of waves in sea ice at global and climate scales when such fine detail may not be needed.
Kazuya Kusahara, Daisuke Hirano, Masakazu Fujii, Alexander D. Fraser, Takeshi Tamura, Kohei Mizobata, Guy D. Williams, and Shigeru Aoki
The Cryosphere, 18, 43–73, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, 2024
Short summary
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This study focuses on the Totten and Moscow University ice shelves, East Antarctica. We used an ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model to better understand regional interactions between ocean, sea ice, and ice shelf. We found that a combination of warm ocean water and local sea ice production influences the regional ice shelf basal melting. Furthermore, the model reproduced the summertime undercurrent on the upper continental slope, regulating ocean heat transport onto the continental shelf.
Lingwei Zhang, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Lenneke M. Jong, Sarah S. Thompson, Alison S. Criscitiello, and Nerilie J. Abram
The Cryosphere, 17, 5155–5173, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, 2023
Short summary
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Physical features in ice cores provide unique records of past variability. We identified 1–2 mm ice layers without bubbles in surface ice cores from Law Dome, East Antarctica, occurring on average five times per year. The origin of these bubble-free layers is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether they have the potential to record past atmospheric processes and circulation. We find that the bubble-free layers are linked to accumulation hiatus events and meridional moisture transport.
Jill Brouwer, Alexander D. Fraser, Damian J. Murphy, Pat Wongpan, Alberto Alberello, Alison Kohout, Christopher Horvat, Simon Wotherspoon, Robert A. Massom, Jessica Cartwright, and Guy D. Williams
The Cryosphere, 16, 2325–2353, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, 2022
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The marginal ice zone is the region where ocean waves interact with sea ice. Although this important region influences many sea ice, ocean and biological processes, it has been difficult to accurately measure on a large scale from satellite instruments. We present new techniques for measuring wave attenuation using the NASA ICESat-2 laser altimeter. By measuring how waves attenuate within the sea ice, we show that the marginal ice zone may be far wider than previously realised.
Tian R. Tian, Alexander D. Fraser, Noriaki Kimura, Chen Zhao, and Petra Heil
The Cryosphere, 16, 1299–1314, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, 2022
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This study presents a comprehensive validation of a satellite observational sea ice motion product in Antarctica by using drifting buoys. Two problems existing in this sea ice motion product have been noticed. After rectifying problems, we use it to investigate the impacts of satellite observational configuration and timescale on Antarctic sea ice kinematics and suggest the future improvement of satellite missions specifically designed for retrieval of sea ice motion.
Jessica Cartwright, Alexander D. Fraser, and Richard Porter-Smith
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 479–490, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, 2022
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Due to the scale and remote nature of the polar regions, it is essential to use satellite remote sensing to monitor and understand them and their dynamics. Here we present data from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT), processed in a manner proven for use in cryosphere studies. The data have been processed on three timescales (5 d, 2 d and 1 d) in order to optimise temporal resolution as each of the three MetOp satellites is launched.
Alexander D. Fraser, Robert A. Massom, Mark S. Handcock, Phillip Reid, Kay I. Ohshima, Marilyn N. Raphael, Jessica Cartwright, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Zhaohui Wang, and Richard Porter-Smith
The Cryosphere, 15, 5061–5077, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, 2021
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Landfast ice is sea ice that remains stationary by attaching to Antarctica's coastline and grounded icebergs. Although a variable feature, landfast ice exerts influence on key coastal processes involving pack ice, the ice sheet, ocean, and atmosphere and is of ecological importance. We present a first analysis of change in landfast ice over an 18-year period and quantify trends (−0.19 ± 0.18 % yr−1). This analysis forms a reference of landfast-ice extent and variability for use in other studies.
Camilla K. Crockart, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Nerilie J. Abram, Alison S. Criscitiello, Mark A. J. Curran, Vincent Favier, Ailie J. E. Gallant, Christoph Kittel, Helle A. Kjær, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Lenneke M. Jong, Andrew D. Moy, Christopher T. Plummer, Paul T. Vallelonga, Jonathan Wille, and Lingwei Zhang
Clim. Past, 17, 1795–1818, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, 2021
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We present preliminary analyses of the annual sea salt concentrations and snowfall accumulation in a new East Antarctic ice core, Mount Brown South. We compare this record with an updated Law Dome (Dome Summit South site) ice core record over the period 1975–2016. The Mount Brown South record preserves a stronger and inverse signal for the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (in austral winter and spring) compared to the Law Dome record (in summer).
Richard Porter-Smith, John McKinlay, Alexander D. Fraser, and Robert A. Massom
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3103–3114, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3103-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3103-2021, 2021
Short summary
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This study quantifies the characteristic complexity
signaturesaround the Antarctic outer coastal margin, giving a multiscale estimate of the magnitude and direction of undulation or complexity at each point location along the entire coastline. It has numerous applications for both geophysical and biological studies and will contribute to Antarctic research requiring quantitative information about this important interface.
Kazuya Kusahara, Daisuke Hirano, Masakazu Fujii, Alexander D. Fraser, and Takeshi Tamura
The Cryosphere, 15, 1697–1717, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1697-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1697-2021, 2021
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We used an ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model with a 2–3 km horizontal resolution to investigate ocean–ice shelf/glacier interactions in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica. The numerical model reproduced the observed warm water intrusion along the deep trough in the bay. We examined in detail (1) water mass changes between the upper continental slope and shelf regions and (2) the fast-ice role in the ocean conditions and basal melting at the Shirase Glacier tongue.
Stefanie Arndt, Mario Hoppmann, Holger Schmithüsen, Alexander D. Fraser, and Marcel Nicolaus
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Bruce L. Greaves, Andrew T. Davidson, Alexander D. Fraser, John P. McKinlay, Andrew Martin, Andrew McMinn, and Simon W. Wright
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We observed that variation in the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) over 11 years showed a relationship with the species composition of hard-shelled phytoplankton in the seasonal ice zone (SIZ) of the Southern Ocean. Phytoplankton in the SIZ are productive during the southern spring and summer when the area is ice-free, with production feeding most Antarctic life. The SAM is known to be increasing with climate change, and changes in phytoplankton in the SIZ may have implications for higher life forms.
Mana Inoue, Mark A. J. Curran, Andrew D. Moy, Tas D. van Ommen, Alexander D. Fraser, Helen E. Phillips, and Ian D. Goodwin
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A 120 m ice core from Mill Island, East Antarctica, was studied its chemical components. The Mill Island ice core contains 97 years of climate record (1913–2009) and has a mean snow accumulation of 1.35 m yr−1 (ice equivalent). Trace ion concentrations were generally higher than other Antarctic ice core sites. Nearby sea ice concentration was found to influence the annual mean sea salt record. The Mill Island ice core records are unexpectedly complex, with strong modulation of the trace chemistry.
J. L. Lieser, M. A. J. Curran, A. R. Bowie, A. T. Davidson, S. J. Doust, A. D. Fraser, B. K. Galton-Fenzi, R. A. Massom, K. M. Meiners, J. Melbourne-Thomas, P. A. Reid, P. G. Strutton, T. R. Vance, M. Vancoppenolle, K. J. Westwood, and S. W. Wright
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, 2015
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
Robert Massom, Phillip Reid, Stephen Warren, Bonnie Light, Donald Perovich, Luke Bennetts, Petteri Uotila, Siobhan O'Farrell, Michael Meylan, Klaus Meiners, Pat Wongpan, Alexander Fraser, Alessandro Toffoli, Giulio Passerotti, Peter Strutton, Sean Chua, and Melissa Fedrigo
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3166, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3166, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean waves play a previously-neglected role in the rapid annual melting of Antarctic sea ice by flooding and pulverising floes, removing the snow cover and reducing the albedo by an estimated 0.38–0.54 – to increase solar absorption and enhance the vertical melt rate by up to 5.2 cm/day. Ice algae further decrease the albedo, to increase the melt-rate enhancement to up to 6.1 cm/day. Melting is accelerated by four previously-unconsidered wave-driven positive feedbacks.
Umesh Dubey, Sascha Willmes, and Günther Heinemann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-736, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-736, 2025
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Sea-ice leads facilitate the exchange of heat and moisture between the ocean and atmosphere during wintertime. We present a new dataset on monthly wintertime sea-ice leads in the Southern Ocean from 2003 to 2023. Our study reveals distinct regional patterns, seasonal variability, and small but significant trends. Here, we present initial findings on Southern Ocean lead dynamics to support future research into the complex pan-Antarctic interactions among sea ice, ocean and atmosphere.
Benjamin Keith Galton-Fenzi, Richard Porter-Smith, Sue Cook, Eva Cougnon, David E. Gwyther, Wilma G. C. Huneke, Madelaine G. Rosevear, Xylar Asay-Davis, Fabio Boeira Dias, Michael S. Dinniman, David Holland, Kazuya Kusahara, Kaitlin A. Naughten, Keith W. Nicholls, Charles Pelletier, Ole Richter, Helene L. Seroussi, and Ralph Timmermann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4047, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4047, 2025
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Melting beneath Antarctica’s floating ice shelves is key to future sea-level rise. We compare several different ocean simulations with satellite measurements, and provide the first multi-model average estimate of melting and refreezing driven by both ocean temperature and currents beneath ice shelves. The multi-model average can provide a useful tool for better understanding the role of ice shelf melting in present-day and future ice-sheet changes and informing coastal adaptation efforts.
Katsuro Katsumata, Shigeru Aoki, Kay I. Ohshima, and Michiyo Yamamoto-Kawai
Ocean Sci., 21, 419–436, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-419-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-419-2025, 2025
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Ship-based observations provide data of seawater properties like temperature, salinity, nutrients, and various gases, but some important world oceans have still not been covered. A voyage in 2019/20 in the southwest Indian Ocean along approximately 55° E from 30° S to Antarctica attempted to fill one such data-sparse region. The measured cross section of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and accompanying eddies demonstrates various oceanic behaviours including fronts and eddy mixing.
Joey J. Voermans, Alexander D. Fraser, Jill Brouwer, Michael H. Meylan, Qingxiang Liu, and Alexander V. Babanin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2104, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2104, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Limited measurements of waves in sea ice exist, preventing our understanding of wave attenuation in sea ice under a wide range of ice conditions. Using satellite observations from ICESat-2 we observe an overall linear increase of the wave attenuation rate with distance into the marginal ice zone. While attenuation may vary greatly locally, this finding may provide opportunities for the modelling of waves in sea ice at global and climate scales when such fine detail may not be needed.
Luisa von Albedyll, Stefan Hendricks, Nils Hutter, Dmitrii Murashkin, Lars Kaleschke, Sascha Willmes, Linda Thielke, Xiangshan Tian-Kunze, Gunnar Spreen, and Christian Haas
The Cryosphere, 18, 1259–1285, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1259-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1259-2024, 2024
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Leads (openings in sea ice cover) are created by sea ice dynamics. Because they are important for many processes in the Arctic winter climate, we aim to detect them with satellites. We present two new techniques to detect lead widths of a few hundred meters at high spatial resolution (700 m) and independent of clouds or sun illumination. We use the MOSAiC drift 2019–2020 in the Arctic for our case study and compare our new products to other existing lead products.
Kazuya Kusahara, Daisuke Hirano, Masakazu Fujii, Alexander D. Fraser, Takeshi Tamura, Kohei Mizobata, Guy D. Williams, and Shigeru Aoki
The Cryosphere, 18, 43–73, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study focuses on the Totten and Moscow University ice shelves, East Antarctica. We used an ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model to better understand regional interactions between ocean, sea ice, and ice shelf. We found that a combination of warm ocean water and local sea ice production influences the regional ice shelf basal melting. Furthermore, the model reproduced the summertime undercurrent on the upper continental slope, regulating ocean heat transport onto the continental shelf.
Vigan Mensah, Koji Fujita, Stephen Howell, Miho Ikeda, Mizuki Komatsu, and Kay I. Ohshima
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2492, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2492, 2023
Preprint archived
Short summary
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We estimated the volume of freshwater released by sea ice, glaciers, rivers, and precipitation into Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea, and their changes over the past 70 years. We found that the freshwater volume has risen in Baffin Bay due to increased glacier melting, and dropped in the Labrador Sea because of the decline in sea ice production. We also infer that freshwater from the Arctic Ocean has been exported to our study region for the past 30 years, possibly as a result of global warming.
Lingwei Zhang, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Lenneke M. Jong, Sarah S. Thompson, Alison S. Criscitiello, and Nerilie J. Abram
The Cryosphere, 17, 5155–5173, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Physical features in ice cores provide unique records of past variability. We identified 1–2 mm ice layers without bubbles in surface ice cores from Law Dome, East Antarctica, occurring on average five times per year. The origin of these bubble-free layers is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether they have the potential to record past atmospheric processes and circulation. We find that the bubble-free layers are linked to accumulation hiatus events and meridional moisture transport.
Sascha Willmes, Günther Heinemann, and Frank Schnaase
The Cryosphere, 17, 3291–3308, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3291-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3291-2023, 2023
Short summary
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Sea ice is an important constituent of the global climate system. We here use satellite data to identify regions in the Arctic where the sea ice breaks up in so-called leads (i.e., linear cracks) regularly during winter. This information is important because leads determine, e.g., how much heat is exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere. We here provide first insights into the reasons for the observed patterns in sea-ice leads and their relation to ocean currents and winds.
Jill Brouwer, Alexander D. Fraser, Damian J. Murphy, Pat Wongpan, Alberto Alberello, Alison Kohout, Christopher Horvat, Simon Wotherspoon, Robert A. Massom, Jessica Cartwright, and Guy D. Williams
The Cryosphere, 16, 2325–2353, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, 2022
Short summary
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The marginal ice zone is the region where ocean waves interact with sea ice. Although this important region influences many sea ice, ocean and biological processes, it has been difficult to accurately measure on a large scale from satellite instruments. We present new techniques for measuring wave attenuation using the NASA ICESat-2 laser altimeter. By measuring how waves attenuate within the sea ice, we show that the marginal ice zone may be far wider than previously realised.
Tian R. Tian, Alexander D. Fraser, Noriaki Kimura, Chen Zhao, and Petra Heil
The Cryosphere, 16, 1299–1314, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a comprehensive validation of a satellite observational sea ice motion product in Antarctica by using drifting buoys. Two problems existing in this sea ice motion product have been noticed. After rectifying problems, we use it to investigate the impacts of satellite observational configuration and timescale on Antarctic sea ice kinematics and suggest the future improvement of satellite missions specifically designed for retrieval of sea ice motion.
Jessica Cartwright, Alexander D. Fraser, and Richard Porter-Smith
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 479–490, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Due to the scale and remote nature of the polar regions, it is essential to use satellite remote sensing to monitor and understand them and their dynamics. Here we present data from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT), processed in a manner proven for use in cryosphere studies. The data have been processed on three timescales (5 d, 2 d and 1 d) in order to optimise temporal resolution as each of the three MetOp satellites is launched.
Alexander D. Fraser, Robert A. Massom, Mark S. Handcock, Phillip Reid, Kay I. Ohshima, Marilyn N. Raphael, Jessica Cartwright, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Zhaohui Wang, and Richard Porter-Smith
The Cryosphere, 15, 5061–5077, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, 2021
Short summary
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Landfast ice is sea ice that remains stationary by attaching to Antarctica's coastline and grounded icebergs. Although a variable feature, landfast ice exerts influence on key coastal processes involving pack ice, the ice sheet, ocean, and atmosphere and is of ecological importance. We present a first analysis of change in landfast ice over an 18-year period and quantify trends (−0.19 ± 0.18 % yr−1). This analysis forms a reference of landfast-ice extent and variability for use in other studies.
Camilla K. Crockart, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Nerilie J. Abram, Alison S. Criscitiello, Mark A. J. Curran, Vincent Favier, Ailie J. E. Gallant, Christoph Kittel, Helle A. Kjær, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Lenneke M. Jong, Andrew D. Moy, Christopher T. Plummer, Paul T. Vallelonga, Jonathan Wille, and Lingwei Zhang
Clim. Past, 17, 1795–1818, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present preliminary analyses of the annual sea salt concentrations and snowfall accumulation in a new East Antarctic ice core, Mount Brown South. We compare this record with an updated Law Dome (Dome Summit South site) ice core record over the period 1975–2016. The Mount Brown South record preserves a stronger and inverse signal for the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (in austral winter and spring) compared to the Law Dome record (in summer).
Thomas Krumpen, Luisa von Albedyll, Helge F. Goessling, Stefan Hendricks, Bennet Juhls, Gunnar Spreen, Sascha Willmes, H. Jakob Belter, Klaus Dethloff, Christian Haas, Lars Kaleschke, Christian Katlein, Xiangshan Tian-Kunze, Robert Ricker, Philip Rostosky, Janna Rückert, Suman Singha, and Julia Sokolova
The Cryosphere, 15, 3897–3920, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3897-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3897-2021, 2021
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We use satellite data records collected along the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) drift to categorize ice conditions that shaped and characterized the floe and surroundings during the expedition. A comparison with previous years is made whenever possible. The aim of this analysis is to provide a basis and reference for subsequent research in the six main research areas of atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, biogeochemistry, remote sensing and ecology.
Richard Porter-Smith, John McKinlay, Alexander D. Fraser, and Robert A. Massom
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3103–3114, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3103-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3103-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study quantifies the characteristic complexity
signaturesaround the Antarctic outer coastal margin, giving a multiscale estimate of the magnitude and direction of undulation or complexity at each point location along the entire coastline. It has numerous applications for both geophysical and biological studies and will contribute to Antarctic research requiring quantitative information about this important interface.
Kazuya Kusahara, Daisuke Hirano, Masakazu Fujii, Alexander D. Fraser, and Takeshi Tamura
The Cryosphere, 15, 1697–1717, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1697-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1697-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We used an ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model with a 2–3 km horizontal resolution to investigate ocean–ice shelf/glacier interactions in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica. The numerical model reproduced the observed warm water intrusion along the deep trough in the bay. We examined in detail (1) water mass changes between the upper continental slope and shelf regions and (2) the fast-ice role in the ocean conditions and basal melting at the Shirase Glacier tongue.
Stefanie Arndt, Mario Hoppmann, Holger Schmithüsen, Alexander D. Fraser, and Marcel Nicolaus
The Cryosphere, 14, 2775–2793, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2775-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2775-2020, 2020
Bruce L. Greaves, Andrew T. Davidson, Alexander D. Fraser, John P. McKinlay, Andrew Martin, Andrew McMinn, and Simon W. Wright
Biogeosciences, 17, 3815–3835, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3815-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3815-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We observed that variation in the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) over 11 years showed a relationship with the species composition of hard-shelled phytoplankton in the seasonal ice zone (SIZ) of the Southern Ocean. Phytoplankton in the SIZ are productive during the southern spring and summer when the area is ice-free, with production feeding most Antarctic life. The SAM is known to be increasing with climate change, and changes in phytoplankton in the SIZ may have implications for higher life forms.
Jessica Cartwright, Christopher J. Banks, and Meric Srokosz
The Cryosphere, 14, 1909–1917, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1909-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1909-2020, 2020
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This study uses reflected GPS signals to measure ice at the South Pole itself for the first time. These measurements are essential to understand the interaction of the ice with the Earth’s physical systems. Orbital constraints mean that satellites are usually unable to measure in the vicinity of the South Pole itself. This is overcome here by using data obtained by UK TechDemoSat-1. Data are processed to obtain the height of glacial ice across the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.
Daiki Nomura, Mats A. Granskog, Agneta Fransson, Melissa Chierici, Anna Silyakova, Kay I. Ohshima, Lana Cohen, Bruno Delille, Stephen R. Hudson, and Gerhard S. Dieckmann
Biogeosciences, 15, 3331–3343, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3331-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-3331-2018, 2018
Mana Inoue, Mark A. J. Curran, Andrew D. Moy, Tas D. van Ommen, Alexander D. Fraser, Helen E. Phillips, and Ian D. Goodwin
Clim. Past, 13, 437–453, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-437-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-437-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
A 120 m ice core from Mill Island, East Antarctica, was studied its chemical components. The Mill Island ice core contains 97 years of climate record (1913–2009) and has a mean snow accumulation of 1.35 m yr−1 (ice equivalent). Trace ion concentrations were generally higher than other Antarctic ice core sites. Nearby sea ice concentration was found to influence the annual mean sea salt record. The Mill Island ice core records are unexpectedly complex, with strong modulation of the trace chemistry.
Andreas Preußer, Günther Heinemann, Sascha Willmes, and Stephan Paul
The Cryosphere, 10, 3021–3042, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-3021-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-3021-2016, 2016
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We present spatial and temporal characteristics of 17 Arctic polynya regions. By using an energy balance model, daily thin-ice thickness distributions are derived from TIR satellite and atmospheric reanalysis data. All polynyas combined yield an average ice production of about 1811 km3 per winter. Interestingly, we find distinct regional differences in calculated trends over the last 13 years. Finally, we set a special focus on the Laptev Sea region and its relation to the Transpolar Drift.
Oliver Gutjahr, Günther Heinemann, Andreas Preußer, Sascha Willmes, and Clemens Drüe
The Cryosphere, 10, 2999–3019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2999-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2999-2016, 2016
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We estimated the formation of new sea ice within polynyas in the Laptev Sea (Siberia) with the regional climate model COSMO-CLM at 5 km horizontal resolution. Fractional sea ice and the representation of thin ice is often neglected in atmospheric models. Our study demonstrates, however, that the way thin ice in polynyas is represented in the model considerably affects the amount of newly formed sea-ice and the air–ice–ocean heat flux. Both processes impact the Arctic sea-ice budget.
J. L. Lieser, M. A. J. Curran, A. R. Bowie, A. T. Davidson, S. J. Doust, A. D. Fraser, B. K. Galton-Fenzi, R. A. Massom, K. M. Meiners, J. Melbourne-Thomas, P. A. Reid, P. G. Strutton, T. R. Vance, M. Vancoppenolle, K. J. Westwood, and S. W. Wright
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-6187-2015, 2015
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
S. Paul, S. Willmes, and G. Heinemann
The Cryosphere, 9, 2027–2041, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2027-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2027-2015, 2015
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We established a 13-year-long MODIS-derived thin-ice thickness data set from which we derived information about polynya dynamics in the southern Weddell Sea. In contrast to other studies, we do not focus on a single region but instead discuss polynya dynamics for the complete coastal area. The higher spatial resolution of MODIS compared to passive-microwave sensors enables us to resolve even very narrow coastal polynyas that would remain otherwise undetected.
A. Preußer, S. Willmes, G. Heinemann, and S. Paul
The Cryosphere, 9, 1063–1073, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1063-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1063-2015, 2015
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The Storfjorden polynya (Svalbard) forms regularly under the influence of strong north-easterly winds. In this study, spatial and temporal characteristics for the period 2002/03-2013/14 were inferred from daily calculated thin-ice thickness distributions, based on MODIS ice surface temperatures and ERA-interim reanalysis.
With an estimated average ice production of 28.3km³/winter, this polynya system is of particular interest regarding its potential contribution to deep water formation.
S. Willmes, M. Nicolaus, and C. Haas
The Cryosphere, 8, 891–904, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-891-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-891-2014, 2014
T. Krumpen, M. Janout, K. I. Hodges, R. Gerdes, F. Girard-Ardhuin, J. A. Hölemann, and S. Willmes
The Cryosphere, 7, 349–363, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-349-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-349-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Snow and Sea Ice
A sea ice deformation and rotation rate dataset (2017–2023) from the Environment and Climate Change Canada automated sea ice tracking system (ECCC-ASITS)
An Arctic sea ice concentration data record on a 6.25 km polar stereographic grid from 3 years of Landsat-8 imagery
Time series of alpine snow surface radiative-temperature maps from high-precision thermal-infrared imaging
Operational and experimental snow observation systems in the upper Rofental: data from 2017 to 2023
SMOS-derived Antarctic thin sea ice thickness: data description and validation in the Weddell Sea
A 12-year climate record of wintertime wave-affected marginal ice zones in the Atlantic Arctic based on CryoSat-2
MODIS daily cloud-gap-filled fractional snow cover dataset of the Asian Water Tower region (2000–2022)
Mapping of sea ice concentration using the NASA NIMBUS 5 Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer data from 1972–1977
A climate data record of year-round global sea-ice drift from the EUMETSAT Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility (OSI SAF)
Snow accumulation and ablation measurements in a midlatitude mountain coniferous forest (Col de Porte, France, 1325 m altitude): the Snow Under Forest (SnoUF) field campaign data set
A new sea ice concentration product in the polar regions derived from the FengYun-3 MWRI sensors
NH-SWE: Northern Hemisphere Snow Water Equivalent dataset based on in situ snow depth time series
IT-SNOW: a snow reanalysis for Italy blending modeling, in situ data, and satellite observations (2010–2021)
HMRFS–TP: long-term daily gap-free snow cover products over the Tibetan Plateau from 2002 to 2021 based on hidden Markov random field model
Large ensemble of downscaled historical daily snowfall from an earth system model to 5.5 km resolution over Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
The S2M meteorological and snow cover reanalysis over the French mountainous areas: description and evaluation (1958–2021)
A new Greenland digital elevation model derived from ICESat-2 during 2018–2019
Reconstruction of a daily gridded snow water equivalent product for the land region above 45° N based on a ridge regression machine learning approach
Snow depth product over Antarctic sea ice from 2002 to 2020 using multisource passive microwave radiometers
The NIEER AVHRR snow cover extent product over China – a long-term daily snow record for regional climate research
Canadian historical Snow Water Equivalent dataset (CanSWE, 1928–2020)
Meteorological, snow and soil data (2013–2019) from a herb tundra permafrost site at Bylot Island, Canadian high Arctic, for driving and testing snow and land surface models
Inter-annual variation in lake ice composition in the European Arctic: observations based on high-resolution thermistor strings
Daily Terra–Aqua MODIS cloud-free snow and Randolph Glacier Inventory 6.0 combined product (M*D10A1GL06) for high-mountain Asia between 2002 and 2019
Laboratory, field, mast-borne and airborne spectral reflectance measurements of boreal landscape during spring
An improved Terra–Aqua MODIS snow cover and Randolph Glacier Inventory 6.0 combined product (MOYDGL06*) for high-mountain Asia between 2002 and 2018
Integrated hydrometeorological, snow and frozen-ground observations in the alpine region of the Heihe River Basin, China
Meteorological and evaluation datasets for snow modelling at 10 reference sites: description of in situ and bias-corrected reanalysis data
Hydrometeorological data from Marmot Creek Research Basin, Canadian Rockies
Mathieu Plante, Jean-François Lemieux, L. Bruno Tremblay, Amélie Bouchat, Damien Ringeisen, Philippe Blain, Stephen Howell, Mike Brady, Alexander S. Komarov, Béatrice Duval, Lekima Yakuden, and Frédérique Labelle
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 423–434, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-423-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-423-2025, 2025
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Sea ice forms a thin boundary between the ocean and the atmosphere, with complex, crust-like dynamics and ever-changing networks of sea ice leads and ridges. Statistics of these dynamical features are often used to evaluate sea ice models. Here, we present a new pan-Arctic dataset of sea ice deformations derived from satellite imagery, from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2023. We discuss the dataset coverage and some limitations associated with uncertainties in the computed values.
Hee-Sung Jung, Sang-Moo Lee, Joo-Hong Kim, and Kyungsoo Lee
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 233–258, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-233-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-233-2025, 2025
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This dataset consists of reference sea ice concentration (SIC) data records over the Arctic Ocean, which were derived from the 30 m resolution imagery from the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on board Landsat-8. Each SIC map is given in a 6.25 km polar stereographic grid and is catalogued into one of the 12 regions of the Arctic Ocean. This dataset was produced to be used as a reference in the validation of various SIC products.
Sara Arioli, Ghislain Picard, Laurent Arnaud, Simon Gascoin, Esteban Alonso-González, Marine Poizat, and Mark Irvine
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 3913–3934, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3913-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3913-2024, 2024
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High-accuracy precision maps of the surface temperature of snow were acquired with an uncooled thermal-infrared camera during winter 2021–2022 and spring 2023. The accuracy – i.e., mean absolute error – improved from 1.28 K to 0.67 K between the seasons thanks to an improved camera setup and temperature stabilization. The dataset represents a major advance in the validation of satellite measurements and physical snow models over a complex topography.
Michael Warscher, Thomas Marke, Erwin Rottler, and Ulrich Strasser
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 3579–3599, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3579-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3579-2024, 2024
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Continuous observations of snow and climate at high altitudes are still sparse. We present a unique collection of weather and snow cover data from three automatic weather stations at remote locations in the Ötztal Alps (Austria) that include continuous recordings of snow cover properties. The data are available over multiple winter seasons and enable new insights for snow hydrological research. The data are also used in operational applications, i.e., for avalanche warning and flood forecasting.
Lars Kaleschke, Xiangshan Tian-Kunze, Stefan Hendricks, and Robert Ricker
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 3149–3170, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3149-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-3149-2024, 2024
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We describe a sea ice thickness dataset based on SMOS satellite measurements, initially designed for the Arctic but adapted for Antarctica. We validated it using limited Antarctic measurements. Our findings show promising results, with a small difference in thickness estimation and a strong correlation with validation data within the valid thickness range. However, improvements and synergies with other sensors are needed, especially for sea ice thicker than 1 m.
Weixin Zhu, Siqi Liu, Shiming Xu, and Lu Zhou
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 2917–2940, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2917-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2917-2024, 2024
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In the polar ocean, wind waves generate and propagate into the sea ice cover, forming marginal ice zones (MIZs). Using ESA's CryoSat-2, we construct a 12-year dataset of the MIZ in the Atlantic Arctic, a key region for climate change and human activities. The dataset is validated with high-resolution observations by ICESat2 and Sentinel-1. MIZs over 300 km wide are found under storms in the Barents Sea. The new dataset serves as the basis for research areas, including wave–ice interactions.
Fangbo Pan, Lingmei Jiang, Gongxue Wang, Jinmei Pan, Jinyu Huang, Cheng Zhang, Huizhen Cui, Jianwei Yang, Zhaojun Zheng, Shengli Wu, and Jiancheng Shi
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 2501–2523, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2501-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2501-2024, 2024
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It is important to strengthen the continuous monitoring of snow cover as a key indicator of imbalance in the Asian Water Tower (AWT) region. We generate long-term daily gap-free fractional snow cover products over the AWT at 0.005° resolution from 2000 to 2022 based on the multiple-endmember spectral mixture analysis algorithm and the gap-filling algorithm. They can provide highly accurate, quantitative fractional snow cover information for subsequent studies on hydrology and climate.
Wiebke Margitta Kolbe, Rasmus T. Tonboe, and Julienne Stroeve
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1247–1264, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1247-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1247-2024, 2024
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Current satellite-based sea-ice climate data records (CDRs) usually begin in October 1978 with the first multichannel microwave radiometer data. Here, we present a sea ice dataset based on the single-channel Electrical Scanning Microwave Radiometer (ESMR) that operated from 1972-1977 onboard NASA’s Nimbus 5 satellite. The data were processed using modern methods and include uncertainty estimations in order to provide an important, easy-to-use reference period of good quality for current CDRs.
Thomas Lavergne and Emily Down
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 5807–5834, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-5807-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-5807-2023, 2023
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Sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic can move several tens of kilometers per day due to wind and ocean currents. By analysing thousands of satellite images, we measured how sea ice has been moving every single day from 1991 through to 2020. We compare our data to how buoys attached to the ice moved and find good agreement. Other scientists will now use our data to better understand if climate change has modified the way sea ice moves and in what way.
Jean Emmanuel Sicart, Victor Ramseyer, Ghislain Picard, Laurent Arnaud, Catherine Coulaud, Guilhem Freche, Damien Soubeyrand, Yves Lejeune, Marie Dumont, Isabelle Gouttevin, Erwan Le Gac, Frédéric Berger, Jean-Matthieu Monnet, Laurent Borgniet, Éric Mermin, Nick Rutter, Clare Webster, and Richard Essery
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 5121–5133, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-5121-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-5121-2023, 2023
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Forests strongly modify the accumulation, metamorphism and melting of snow in midlatitude and high-latitude regions. Two field campaigns during the winters 2016–17 and 2017–18 were conducted in a coniferous forest in the French Alps to study interactions between snow and vegetation. This paper presents the field site, instrumentation and collection methods. The observations include forest characteristics, meteorology, snow cover and snow interception by the canopy during precipitation events.
Ying Chen, Ruibo Lei, Xi Zhao, Shengli Wu, Yue Liu, Pei Fan, Qing Ji, Peng Zhang, and Xiaoping Pang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 3223–3242, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3223-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3223-2023, 2023
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The sea ice concentration product derived from the Microwave Radiation Image sensors on board the FengYun-3 satellites can reasonably and independently identify the seasonal and long-term changes of sea ice, as well as extreme cases of annual maximum and minimum sea ice extent in polar regions. It is comparable with other sea ice concentration products and applied to the studies of climate and marine environment.
Adrià Fontrodona-Bach, Bettina Schaefli, Ross Woods, Adriaan J. Teuling, and Joshua R. Larsen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 2577–2599, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2577-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2577-2023, 2023
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We provide a dataset of snow water equivalent, the depth of liquid water that results from melting a given depth of snow. The dataset contains 11 071 sites over the Northern Hemisphere, spans the period 1950–2022, and is based on daily observations of snow depth on the ground and a model. The dataset fills a lack of accessible historical ground snow data, and it can be used for a variety of applications such as the impact of climate change on global and regional snow and water resources.
Francesco Avanzi, Simone Gabellani, Fabio Delogu, Francesco Silvestro, Flavio Pignone, Giulia Bruno, Luca Pulvirenti, Giuseppe Squicciarino, Elisabetta Fiori, Lauro Rossi, Silvia Puca, Alexander Toniazzo, Pietro Giordano, Marco Falzacappa, Sara Ratto, Hervè Stevenin, Antonio Cardillo, Matteo Fioletti, Orietta Cazzuli, Edoardo Cremonese, Umberto Morra di Cella, and Luca Ferraris
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 639–660, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-639-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-639-2023, 2023
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Snow cover has profound implications for worldwide water supply and security, but knowledge of its amount and distribution across the landscape is still elusive. We present IT-SNOW, a reanalysis comprising daily maps of snow amount and distribution across Italy for 11 snow seasons from September 2010 to August 2021. The reanalysis was validated using satellite images and snow measurements and will provide highly needed data to manage snow water resources in a warming climate.
Yan Huang, Jiahui Xu, Jingyi Xu, Yelei Zhao, Bailang Yu, Hongxing Liu, Shujie Wang, Wanjia Xu, Jianping Wu, and Zhaojun Zheng
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 4445–4462, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4445-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4445-2022, 2022
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Reliable snow cover information is important for understating climate change and hydrological cycling. We generate long-term daily gap-free snow products over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) at 500 m resolution from 2002 to 2021 based on the hidden Markov random field model. The accuracy is 91.36 %, and is especially improved during snow transitional period and over complex terrains. This dataset has great potential to study climate change and to facilitate water resource management in the TP.
Nicolas Ghilain, Stéphane Vannitsem, Quentin Dalaiden, Hugues Goosse, Lesley De Cruz, and Wenguang Wei
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 1901–1916, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1901-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1901-2022, 2022
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Modeling the climate at high resolution is crucial to represent the snowfall accumulation over the complex orography of the Antarctic coast. While ice cores provide a view constrained spatially but over centuries, climate models can give insight into its spatial distribution, either at high resolution over a short period or vice versa. We downscaled snowfall accumulation from climate model historical simulations (1850–present day) over Dronning Maud Land at 5.5 km using a statistical method.
Matthieu Vernay, Matthieu Lafaysse, Diego Monteiro, Pascal Hagenmuller, Rafife Nheili, Raphaëlle Samacoïts, Deborah Verfaillie, and Samuel Morin
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 1707–1733, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1707-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1707-2022, 2022
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This paper introduces the latest version of the freely available S2M dataset which provides estimates of both meteorological and snow cover variables, as well as various avalanche hazard diagnostics at different elevations, slopes and aspects for the three main French high-elevation mountainous regions. A complete description of the system and the dataset is provided, as well as an overview of the possible uses of this dataset and an objective assessment of its limitations.
Yubin Fan, Chang-Qing Ke, and Xiaoyi Shen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 781–794, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-781-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-781-2022, 2022
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A new digital elevation model of Greenland was provided based on the ICESat-2 observations acquired from November 2018 to November 2019. A model fit method was applied within the grid cells at different spatial resolutions to estimate the surface elevations with a modal resolution of 500 m. We estimated the uncertainty with a median difference of −0.48 m for all of Greenland, which can benefit studies of elevation change and mass balance in Greenland.
Donghang Shao, Hongyi Li, Jian Wang, Xiaohua Hao, Tao Che, and Wenzheng Ji
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 795–809, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-795-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-795-2022, 2022
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The temporal series and spatial distribution discontinuity of the existing snow water equivalent (SWE) products in the pan-Arctic region severely restricts the use of SWE data in cryosphere change and climate change studies. Using a ridge regression machine learning algorithm, this study developed a set of spatiotemporally seamless and high-precision SWE products. This product could contribute to the study of cryosphere change and climate change at large spatial scales.
Xiaoyi Shen, Chang-Qing Ke, and Haili Li
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 619–636, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-619-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-619-2022, 2022
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Snow over Antarctic sea ice controls energy budgets and thus has essential effects on the climate. Here, we estimated snow depth using microwave radiometers and a newly constructed, robust method by incorporating lower frequencies, which have been available from AMSR-E and AMSR-2. Comparing the new retrieval with in situ and shipborne snow depth measurements showed that this method outperformed the previously available method.
Xiaohua Hao, Guanghui Huang, Tao Che, Wenzheng Ji, Xingliang Sun, Qin Zhao, Hongyu Zhao, Jian Wang, Hongyi Li, and Qian Yang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4711–4726, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4711-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4711-2021, 2021
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Long-term snow cover data are not only of importance for climate research. Currently China still lacks a high-quality snow cover extent (SCE) product for climate research. This study develops a multi-level decision tree algorithm for cloud and snow discrimination and gap-filled technique based on AVHRR surface reflectance data. We generate a daily 5 km SCE product across China from 1981 to 2019. It has high accuracy and will serve as baseline data for climate and other applications.
Vincent Vionnet, Colleen Mortimer, Mike Brady, Louise Arnal, and Ross Brown
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4603–4619, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4603-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4603-2021, 2021
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Water equivalent of snow cover (SWE) is a key variable for water management, hydrological forecasting and climate monitoring. A new Canadian SWE dataset (CanSWE) is presented in this paper. It compiles data collected by multiple agencies and companies at more than 2500 different locations across Canada over the period 1928–2020. Snow depth and derived bulk snow density are also included when available.
Florent Domine, Georg Lackner, Denis Sarrazin, Mathilde Poirier, and Maria Belke-Brea
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4331–4348, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4331-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4331-2021, 2021
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Current sophisticated snow physics models were mostly designed for alpine conditions and cannot adequately simulate the physical properties of Arctic snowpacks. New snow models will require Arctic data sets for forcing and validation. We provide an extensive driving and testing data set from a high Arctic herb tundra site in Canada. Unique validating data include continuous time series of snow and soil thermal conductivity and temperature profiles. Field observations in spring are provided.
Bin Cheng, Yubing Cheng, Timo Vihma, Anna Kontu, Fei Zheng, Juha Lemmetyinen, Yubao Qiu, and Jouni Pulliainen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3967–3978, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3967-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3967-2021, 2021
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Climate change strongly impacts the Arctic, with clear signs of higher air temperature and more precipitation. A sustainable observation programme has been carried out in Lake Orajärvi in Sodankylä, Finland. The high-quality air–snow–ice–water temperature profiles have been measured every winter since 2009. The data can be used to investigate the lake ice surface heat balance and the role of snow in lake ice mass balance and parameterization of snow-to-ice transformation in snow/ice models.
Sher Muhammad and Amrit Thapa
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 767–776, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-767-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-767-2021, 2021
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Snow is a dominant water resource in high-mountain Asia and crucial for mountain communities and downstream populations. The present MODIS snow products are significantly uncertain and not useful for observation and simulation of climate, hydrology, and other water-related studies. This study reduces uncertainty in the daily MODIS snow data and generates a MODIS Terra–Aqua combined product reducing uncertainties due to cloud cover, data gaps, and other errors caused by sensor limitations.
Henna-Reetta Hannula, Kirsikka Heinilä, Kristin Böttcher, Olli-Pekka Mattila, Miia Salminen, and Jouni Pulliainen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 719–740, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-719-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-719-2020, 2020
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We publish and describe a surface spectral reflectance data record of seasonal snow (dry, wet, shadowed), forest ground (lichen, moss) and forest canopy (spruce and pine, branches) constituting the main elements of the boreal landscape and collected at four scales. The data record describes the characteristics and variability of the satellite scene reflectance contributors in boreal landscape, thus enabling the development of improved optical satellite snow mapping methods for forested areas.
Sher Muhammad and Amrit Thapa
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 345–356, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-345-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-345-2020, 2020
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Snow is the major water resource in high-mountain Asia; therefore, it is crucial to continuously monitor it. Currently, remote sensing, mainly MODIS, is used for snow monitoring. However, the available MODIS snow product is not useful for various applications without postprocessing and improvement. This study reduces uncertainty in the MODIS snow data. We found approximately 50% underestimation and overestimation of snow cover by MODIS Terra–Aqua products, which were improved in this study.
Tao Che, Xin Li, Shaomin Liu, Hongyi Li, Ziwei Xu, Junlei Tan, Yang Zhang, Zhiguo Ren, Lin Xiao, Jie Deng, Rui Jin, Mingguo Ma, Jian Wang, and Xiaofan Yang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 1483–1499, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1483-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1483-2019, 2019
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The paper presents a suite of datasets consisting of long-term hydrometeorological, snow cover and frozen ground data for investigating watershed science and functions from an integrated, distributed and multiscale observation network in the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin in China. These data are expected to serve as a testing platform to provide accurate forcing data and validate and evaluate remote-sensing products and hydrological models in cold regions for a broader community.
Cécile B. Ménard, Richard Essery, Alan Barr, Paul Bartlett, Jeff Derry, Marie Dumont, Charles Fierz, Hyungjun Kim, Anna Kontu, Yves Lejeune, Danny Marks, Masashi Niwano, Mark Raleigh, Libo Wang, and Nander Wever
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 865–880, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-865-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-865-2019, 2019
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This paper describes long-term meteorological and evaluation datasets from 10 reference sites for use in snow modelling. We demonstrate how data sharing is crucial to the identification of errors and how the publication of these datasets contributes to good practice, consistency, and reproducibility in geosciences. The ease of use, availability, and quality of the datasets will help model developers quantify and reduce model uncertainties and errors.
Xing Fang, John W. Pomeroy, Chris M. DeBeer, Phillip Harder, and Evan Siemens
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 455–471, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-455-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-455-2019, 2019
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Meteorological, snow survey, streamflow, and groundwater data are presented from Marmot Creek Research Basin, a small alpine-montane forest headwater catchment in the Alberta Rockies. It was heavily instrumented, experimented upon, and operated by several federal government agencies between 1962 and 1986 and was re-established starting in 2004 by the University of Saskatchewan Centre for Hydrology. These long-term legacy data serve to advance our knowledge of hydrology of the Canadian Rockies.
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Short summary
Landfast ice, or
fast ice, is a form of sea ice which is mechanically fastened to stationary parts of the coast. Long-term and accurate knowledge of its extent around Antarctica is critical for understanding a number of important Antarctic coastal processes, yet no accurate, large-scale, long-term dataset of its extent has been available. We address this data gap with this new dataset compiled from satellite imagery, containing high-resolution maps of Antarctic fast ice from 2000 to 2018.
Landfast ice, or
fast ice, is a form of sea ice which is mechanically fastened to stationary...
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