Traversing the High 80s Pt1

We started observations today, 23 July 2019, at 87.7N, 59.9E. We immediately saw an increased amount of old ice compared with yesterday, with partial concentrations of 2/10 old ice in a total concentration of 10/10 ice overall.

Old ice was 180-200cm thick, and floes were Small and embedded within larger floes of first year ice. They had 2/10 melt; discrete ponds with open tops and solid bottoms.

First year ice was 110cm thick, with 4/10 melt; linked ponds with open tops and some thaw holes. Floe size was Large.

We have noted that the first year ice has a very well developed drainage system, with rivers running across the floes; image below.

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