Abstract:

Recently, rapid warming of the Arctic has made it possible for the Northwest Passage navigation. In this paper, we studied the characters of variation of sea ice concentration around the Northwest Passage using AMSR-E sea ice concentration product with the resolution of 6.25 kilometers from the year 2002 to 2008. By analysis melting period, ice-free period, slight-ice period, ice-free days, slight-ice days, as well as some details of the variation and distribution of sea ice in main ice-block area along the passages, We got deeper understanding of the main features of sea ice seasonal and interannual variation and distribution, especially the information related to Northwest Passage’s navigation possibility. Our research shows that south route is easier to navigate than north route of Northwest Passage. The existing time period of ice-blocking part of each route represents a decreasing trend, while ice-free and light ice dates show a increasing trend. The variation and distribution of polynya and Circumpolar Flaw Lead might effect the beginning time of sea ice melting of the whole passage in great extent.

Key words: Northwest Passage, sea ice distribution and variation, ice-block, ice-free days, polynya