Classifying Oceanographic Structures in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

The remote and often ice-covered Amundsen Sea Embayment in Antarctica is important for transporting relatively warm modified Circumpolar Deep Water (mCDW) to the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet, potentially accelerating its thinning contribution sea level rise. To investigate potential pathways variability of mCDW, 3809 CTD profiles (instrumented seal ship-based data) are classified using a machine learning approach (Profile Classification Model). Five vertical regimes identified, areas larger highlighted. Three spatial captured: Off-Shelf, Eastern Central Troughs. on-shelf further show separation between cold modes. higher north Burke Island at southern end Trough, which reflects convergence different mCDW Trough. Finally, clear but variable clockwise circulation identified Pine Bay.