Wave attenuation in drifting sea ice: a mechanistic model for observed decay profiles

Wave–sea-ice interactions shape the transition zone between open ocean and pack ice in the polar regions. Most theoretical paradigms, implemented in coupled wave–sea-ice models, predict exponential decay of the wave energy but some recent observations deviate from this behaviour. Expanding on a framework based on wave energy dissipation due to ice–water drag, we account for drifting sea ice to derive an improved model for wave energy attenuation. Analytical solutions replicate the observed non-exponential wave energy decay and the spatial evolution of the effective attenuation rate in Antarctic sea ice.