On the multi-fractal scaling properties ofsea ice deformation

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, we evaluate the neXtSIM sea ice model with respect to the observed scaling invariance properties of sea ice deformation in the spatial and temporal domains. Using an Arctic set-up with realistic initial conditions, state-of-the-art atmospheric reanalysis forcing and geostrophic currents retrieved from satellite data, we show that the model is able to reproduce the observed properties of these scaling in both the spatial and temporal do- mains over a wide range of scales and, for the first time, their multi-fractality. The variability of these properties during the winter season are also captured by the model. We also show that the simulated scaling exhibit a space-time coupling, a suggested property of brittle deformation at geophysical scales. The ability to reproduce the multi-fractality of these scaling is crucial in the context of downscaling model simulation outputs to infer sea ice variables at the sub-grid scale, and also has implication in modeling the statistical properties of deformation-related quantities such as lead fractions, and heat and salt fluxes.