The Arctic Ocean, at the forefront of climate change, has experienced profound changes that are reshaping its dynamics. Once characterized by a thicker, older, and more rigid sea ice cover, the Arctic’s sea ice is now thinner, younger, and less extensive. As a consequence of this thinning, Arctic sea ice is now more mobile and more readily influenced by the winds and ocean currents. However, the decline in sea ice thickness has become muted since 2007, contrary to what one would expect with the continual increase in Arctic air and ocean temperatures. Yet, there has been no comprehensive analysis on sea ice motion in relation to this hiatus in Arctic sea ice loss. This is an acute knowledge gap in our understanding of the balance of atmospheric and oceanic forces on contemporary sea ice kinematics and dynamics. With the support of the Graubard Fellowship, I have been investigating how this hiatus in Arctic sea ice thinning is affecting sea ice motion and deformation. Using satellite and buoy observations, my research focuses on two related science questions: How has sea ice motion responded to sea ice thinning over the full observational record (1979-2025), and during this hiatus? And how have these changes in sea ice motion impacted sea ice deformation? A better understanding of sea ice motion and deformation can help improve our modeling and forecasting of the Arctic system, aid maritime navigation, and improve our understanding of important ice-albedo feedback loops that impact the climate. I am grateful that the Graubard Fellowship has given me the flexibility to explore these interdisciplinary questions with a range of observational datasets. Looking forward, I am excited to continue this research and my involvement with the Program on Climate Change.

Kacimi, S., & Kwok, R. (2024). Two Decades of Arctic Sea-Ice Thickness from Satellite Altimeters: Retrieval Approaches and Record of Changes (2003–2023). Remote Sensing, 16(16), 2983. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16162983.

By Lydia McCamish  

I am a second-year graduate student in the School of Oceanography working with Melinda Webster. My research focuses on Arctic sea ice dynamics, with a particular interest in contemporary sea ice motion and deformation.