Modelling wave–ice interactions in three dimensions in the marginal ice zone

Abstract

This study concerns wave–ice interactions in the marginal ice zone (MIZ). We compare idealized simulations using two recent three-dimensional formulations for wave–ice interactions for flexible ice floes, with selected parametrizations for the scattering of ocean surface waves due to individual ice floes. These parametrizations are implemented in a modern version of the wave model WAVEWATCH III® (hereafter, WW3) as source terms in the action balance equation. The comparisons consist of simple hypothetical experiments to identify characteristics of the wave–ice parametrizations. Comparisons show that the two new wave–ice formulations give attenuation of wave heights that can be less intense in the direction of propagation than those of other considered formulations. Within the wave energy spectrum, the one-dimensional attenuation extends over the entire frequency domain to the high-frequency limit. Within the MIZ beyond the ice edge, there is evidence for a ‘roll-over’ effect in the simulations of attenuation. These new formulations can potentially improve previous parametrizations in simulations of wave scattering and attenuation within the MIZ.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Theory, modelling and observations of marginal ice zone dynamics: multidisciplinary perspectives and outlooks’.