Research

More on geography and the ice

The annual cycles of the formation and dissipation of sea ice also have widespread implications. When the ice forms during winter, the weather is characterized by lower temperatures and lower humidities. Ice prevents the circulation of water and may even stop it altogether. It also makes the clean-up of oil spills very tedious, if at all possible because the oil gets trapped under the ice.

The currents are hard to assess due to the ice pack but are generally wind-driven and slow.

Around mid-May the seasonal disintegration of ice begins and it loosens along the coast. This time is most favourable for heightened biotic activity. The ice cover is significantly lessened by early July. It, however, stays close to the coast until the winter approaches and the whole place just freezes up again.

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