Arctic Pressure Ridges Decline Sharply as Climate Change Transforms Sea Ice

New research reveals a 12-15% per decade drop in ridge frequency and height, with profound implications for ecosystems and ice dynamics.

A 30-year study by the Alfred Wegener Institute shows Arctic pressure ridges are decreasing in frequency by up to 15% and height by over 10% per decade.
The loss of older, multi-year ice is driving the decline, despite younger ice being more prone to ridge formation.
Pressure ridges, crucial for Arctic ecosystems, provide habitat for polar bears and ice-associated organisms while influencing nutrient mixing and ice dynamics.
Regions like the Beaufort Sea and Central Arctic, once dominated by multi-year ice, are now partially ice-free in summer, accelerating these changes.
Researchers are combining aerial, ship-based, and satellite data to better understand the interplay between sea ice, climate, and ecosystems, with further expeditions planned.