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SEDNA Beaufort Sea Ice

Robert

I have heard that historic changes of ice thickness has been calculated using measurements made by submarines, coupled with satellites. Did you hear anything about this and if so what sort of accuracy results.

 

Thanks

Kirk

Sat, 04/21/2007 - 08:08

Robert Harris

Hi Kirk,Satellites don't measure thickness well.  They are better at measuring the amount of ice coverage across the Arctic Ocean.  There is some historic submarine data.  In fact I believe a submarine was in our area back in '73.  Submarines use an upward looking multibeam sonar to measure the ice thickness.  A British submarine with Dr. Peter Wadhams (University of Cambridge) was making these measurements just before the ice camp began.  The ice thickness measurements suggest a 10% decrease.  I don't have the accuracy numbers.
Robert