A Sea Ice Entrapment Event in the Southern Chukchi Sea: Analysis and Prediction

Abstract Amplified Arctic warming is reducing sea ice cover, which is driving an increase in geopolitical interest in the region as it offers the possibility of reducing shipping times between Asia, Europe, and eastern North America, at the risk of increased ice hazards. Here, we examine the case of the Norseman II research ship that was trapped by sea ice in the southern Chukchi Sea for 14 days in June 2024. This is the first study of its sort in this region. We show that anomalously thick and extensive sea ice was present north of the region prior to the event, and that strong northerly winds in early June advected this ice southward, trapping the ship. Later in June, southerly winds advected ice northwards away from the ship, helping to free it. We further show that the event was forecastable.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2026-06-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl121181
Primary Topic
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A Sea Ice Entrapment Event in the Southern Chukchi Sea: Analysis and Prediction

Jinlun Zhang, G. W. K. Moore, William S. Beatty, Thomas J. Ballinger et al.
Geophysical Research Letters
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
article

A Sea Ice Entrapment Event in the Southern Chukchi Sea: Analysis and Prediction

Jinlun Zhang, G. W. K. Moore, William S. Beatty, Thomas J. Ballinger, Axel Schweiger, Irina S. Trukhanova, Michael Steele, Michael Lawson, Scott Hameister
article en

Abstract

Abstract Amplified Arctic warming is reducing sea ice cover, which is driving an increase in geopolitical interest in the region as it offers the possibility of reducing shipping times between Asia, Europe, and eastern North America, at the risk of increased ice hazards. Here, we examine the case of the Norseman II research ship that was trapped by sea ice in the southern Chukchi Sea for 14 days in June 2024. This is the first study of its sort in this region. We show that anomalously thick and extensive sea ice was present north of the region prior to the event, and that strong northerly winds in early June advected this ice southward, trapping the ship. Later in June, southerly winds advected ice northwards away from the ship, helping to free it. We further show that the event was forecastable.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 53(13)
United States Geological Survey (US), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (US), University of Alaska Fairbanks (US), University of Toronto (CA), University of Washington (US), Pacific Environment (US), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (US), NOAA National Weather Service (US), Institute of Brain and Blood Vessels (JP)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Office of Naval Research
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.