Continuous diversity in sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics: Some recent research

After a short description of geophysically occuring sea ice, the established theory of sea ice dynamics is outlined. The discussion then focusses on recent research into sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics that may be of more general interest: (1) A new model of anisotropic sea ice dynamics that makes use of internal variables characterising the degree of anisotropy of the ice cover such as the structure tensor; (2) A homogenisation procedure for determining a geophysical-scale sea ice stress rheology from laboratory scale measurements; (3) The use of granular flow theory to describe observed phenomena at the margins of the sea ice pack; and (time permitting) (4) The simulation of melt ponds on sea ice, which have a large impact on albedo.