Overview
The southernmost sea in the northern hemisphere where drift ice reaches the shore. Icebreakers push through it.
About this place
Drift ice, also called brash ice, is sea ice that is not attached to the shoreline or any other fixed object (shoals, grounded icebergs, etc.). Unlike fast ice, which is "fastened" to a fixed object, drift ice is carried along by winds and sea currents, hence its name. When drift ice is driven together into a large single mass (>70% coverage), it is called pack ice. Wind and currents can pile up that ice to form ridges up to dozens of metres in thickness. These represent a challenge for icebreakers and offshore structures operating in cold oceans and seas. Drift ice consists of ice floes, individual pieces of sea ice 20 metres (66 ft) or more across. Floes are classified according to size: small – 20 metres (66 ft) to 100 metres (330 ft); medium – 100 metres (330 ft) to 500 metres (1,600 ft); big – 500 metres (1,600 ft) to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft); vast – 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi); and giant – more than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). Drift ice affects: Security of navigation Climatic impact (see Polar ice packs) Geological impact Biosphere influence (see Ecology of sea ice) Drift ice can exert tremendous forces when rammed against structures, and can shear off rudders and propellers from ships and strong structures anchored to the shore, such as piers. These structures must be retractable or removable to avoid damage. Similarly, ships can get stuck between drift ice floes. The two major ice packs are the Arctic ice pack and the Antarctic ice pack. The most imp
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Before you go
Three questions from the World Question Box that relate to this entry.
More in Nature & Scenery
Check before you visit · References
The original sources are listed here. Confirm opening hours, whether visits are accepted, fees and access with the latest official information.
Crafts and specialties of this prefecture
Written by Value Village from public sources. Nothing here is reproduced from another site. Languages: ja / en / zh
Photos of Hokkaido
Reference photos of the region related to this entry. They are not photos of the listed facility or product.
Enlarge ↗Instagram posts from Hokkaido (from official accounts)
There are no posts linked to this place yet. Posts from the prefecture's official accounts are shown, rotating every minute.