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Kinematics of Strong DiscontinuitiesSynthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides a detailed view of the Arctic ice cover. When processed with the RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System (RGPS), it provides estimates of sea ice motion and deformation over large regions of the Arctic for extended periods of time. The deformation is dominated by the appearance of linear kinematic features that have been associated with the presence of leads. The RGPS deformation products are based on the assumption that the displacement and velocity are smooth functions of the spatial coordinates. However, if the dominant deformation of multiyear ice results from the opening, closing and shearing of leads, then the displacement and velocity can be discontinuous. This presentation discusses the kinematics associated with strong discontinuities that describe possible jumps in displacement or velocity. Ice motion from SAR data are analyzed using this framework. It is assumed that RGPS cells deform due to the presence of a lead. The lead orientation is calculated to optimally account for the observed deformation. It is shown that almost all observed deformation can be represented by lead opening and shearing. The procedure used to reprocess motion data to account for leads will be described and applied to regions of the Beaufort Sea. The procedure not only provides a new view of ice deformation, it can be used to obtain information about the presence of leads for initialization and/or validation of numerical simulations.
Document ID
20070010010
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Peterson, K.
(New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
Nguyen, G.
(New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
Sulsky, D.
(New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2006
Subject Category
Oceanography
Report/Patent Number
H31D-1464
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNH04CC45C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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