Abstract

The distribution of intersection angles between Linear Kinematic Features (LKFs) is one of the remaining metrics that sea ice models fail to reproduce accurately. Data from the MOS AiC field campaign and RGPS show that when we consider pairs of conjugate LKFs created simultaneously, the distribution of intersection angles peaks for small angles, with a minimal amount of large angles. The found distribution of angles can be a new metric to judge the quality of high-resolution sea ice simulation and help understand sea ice mechanical properties. Using the distribution of angles and simple assumptions, we infer the shape of a plastic yield curve or a plastic potential. The inferred shape resembles a Teardrop as well as Mohr-Coulomb yield curve, for which we propose new formulations for sea ice VP rheological framework. Using mechanical properties derived from observations, we hope to improve the representation of LKFs intersection angles in high-resolution sea-ice simulations.