Theory 03/Polar & Sea Ice/Ice thickness
Thickness Is a Balance
The claim
The thickness distribution of sea ice is set by the ratio of deformation to thermal growth, so a thinner pack can be more variable without being warmer.
01Mechanism
Deformation creates ridges and leads; thermal growth thickens. Their ratio sets the shape of the distribution, which matters for melt and for navigation.
02Prediction
Ridging fraction should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Thickness distribution tracking temperature would remove deformation.