Process-informed modelling of ocean waves interactions with the marginal sea ice zone

The intensification of wave climate in the Southern Ocean tends to enhance the positive ice–albedo feedback. Waves break up the sea ice increasingly deeper within the outer margin of the Antarctic sea ice cover, referred to as the marginal ice zone (MIZ). During the melting season, this process accelerates sea ice loss and acts as a controlling mechanism for sea ice extent. Although much attention has been given to study the effect of the MIZ on the propagation of ocean waves, very little is known about the impact of waves on the morphology of the sea ice. The latter is principally governed by the break-up of bent sea-ice floes as a result of wave interaction. A sub-grid scale process-informed model describing the two-way coupling between the ocean waves and sea ice systems will be discussed, with a focus on how to parametrise this coupling in the NZESM.