Ice Arch Strengthening within the Arctic

Here we will explore a targeted climate intervention approach that aims to help extend the time required to avoid a temperature-induced climate tipping point. This approach is the strengthening of ice arches within the Arctic. Ice arches form (approximately annually) at ends of certain Arctic fjords or straits, acting as temporary dams which inhibit the export of sea ice from the Arctic Ocean. When sea ice is lost from the Arctic Ocean, not only does it reduce the Ocean’s albedo, but a damaging feedback process can begin whereby the remaining sea ice is more readily melted, thereby reducing the albedo loss even further. Consequently, the damming effect of ice arches help maintain sea ice within the Arctic Ocean and help maintain the Arctic’s albedo. However, it appears that ice arches are nowadays forming less regularly and/or for shorter durations, meaning increased volumes of sea ice are now being exported from the Arctic Ocean. To help buffer against this increasing loss of sea ice, we suggest that strengthening the ice arches might be a way in which significant climatic gains could be achieved for relatively modest effort. Strengthening could be achieved via pumping sea water onto the top of specific sections of the ice arches, where it freezes and increases its structural integrity. This approach has the added benefit of mimicking natural processes in a reversible fashion, towards an end-goal that was occurring only a few decades ago.