Sea Ice and IcebergsSea Ice Movement

Map showing general long-term movement of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean

With the exception of fast ice, which is fastened to the shore or seafloor, sea ice is in constant motion. Over short time periods, wind is the primary driver. Over longer periods of time, ice tends to follow the major currents, including the Beaufort Gyre and Transpolar Drift.

Modis True-Color Image of Polynyas and Leads Along the Coast of Antarctica, 2002

One consequence of this motion is that open water can be found year-round. Areas of open water are called fractures, leads, or polynyas depending on their size and shape. They are important both operationally as well as ecologically.