Simplified view of the Arctic Ocean and a glacial Arctic ice shield (IMAGE)

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

Simplified view of the Arctic Ocean and a glacial Arctic ice shield

Caption

In glacial periods with low sea levels, exchange with the Pacific was halted and exchange with the North Atlantic was extremely reduced, while the Arctic basin was still receiving freshwater input. Exchange could only occur through narrow gateways in the Greenland-Scotland-Ridge. The sequence of three sketches shows (1) a period of freshening of the Arctic Ocean followed by (2) the release of freshwater to the North Atlantic, when saline water entered the Arctic Ocean and (3) sudden melting of the Arctic ice sheet upon contact with the relatively warm and salty Atlantic water.

Credit

Graphics: Alfred Wegener Institute/Martin Künsting

Usage Restrictions

For editorial reporting in connection with the Press Release "The Arctic Ocean was covered by a shelf ice and filled with freshwater". For any questions, please contact the Alfred Wegener Institute, Dept. of Communications and Media Relations (e-mail: media(at)awi.de).

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