The Arctic sea ice extent change connected to Pacific decadal variability
<p>After an unprecedented retreat, the total Arctic sea ice cover for the post-2007 period is characterized by low extent and a remarkable increase in annual cycle amplitude. We have identified the leading role of spring Bering Sea ice in explaining the changes in the amplitude of the annual c...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2020-02-01
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Series: | The Cryosphere |
Online Access: | https://www.the-cryosphere.net/14/693/2020/tc-14-693-2020.pdf |
Summary: | <p>After an unprecedented retreat, the total Arctic sea ice cover for
the post-2007 period is characterized by low extent and a remarkable
increase in annual cycle amplitude. We have identified the leading role of
spring Bering Sea ice in explaining the changes in the amplitude of the
annual cycle of total Arctic sea ice. In particular, these changes are
related to the recent occurrence of multiyear variability in spring Bering
Sea ice extent. This is due to the phase-locking of the North Pacific Gyre
Oscillation (NPGO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) after about
2007, with a correlation coefficient reaching <span class="inline-formula">−0.6</span>. Furthermore, there
emerge notable changes in the sea level pressure and sea surface temperature
patterns associated with the NPGO in the recent decade. After 2007, the NPGO
is related to a quadrupole of sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies that is associated with the wind
stress curl and Ekman pumping rate anomalies in the Bering deep basin; these
account for the change in Bering Sea subsurface variability that contribute
to the decadal oscillation of the spring Bering Sea ice extent.</p> |
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ISSN: | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |