Seasonal progression of melt ponds and ablation features

Time series of parameters related to melt pond evolution (sketch at bottom shows sequence of major ablation events). First half of melt season until late June dominated by meltwater flow (composed to a significant fraction of snow melt) driven by hydraulic gradients, with little increase in pond depth. Seepage of meltwater through ice resulting in formation of sequential layers of false bottoms (several cm to tens of cm thick). Deepening of ponds through in-situ melt with enhanced vertical and lateral melt/seawater percolation (A, B) leading to rotten and disintegrating ice.

Last update: August 27, 1999

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