Internal Solitary Waves in the Western Arctic Ocean

Abstract

This study presents a first‐ever comprehensive analysis of internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the Western Arctic Ocean using high‐resolution spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery acquired in 2007–2020. A total of 2421 ISW trains were identified, revealing their widespread presence across shelf, slope, and deep basin regions in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The highest ISW activity was observed in July and August, with a positive trend in interannual wave activity linked to sea ice retreat. ISWs predominantly occur over shallow shelves (<100 m), with their spatial distribution closely associated with near‐critical flows (Froude number ∼1) and regions of rough bathymetry and strong density gradients. Main hot‐spots of ISW activity include the Bering Strait, Mackenzie Shelf, and areas near Point Barrow, Daurkin Peninsula (Chukotka coast) and Cape Bathurst. Wave properties, such as crest length (2–100 km), packet length (0.2–12 km), and wavelength (0.1–4 km), exhibit significant spatial variability. ISW generation mechanisms are primarily linked to tide‐topography interactions, including lee wave evolution and resonant generation in transcritical regimes, with additional contributions from tidal beams in deep basins, frontal and eddy‐driven generation. In some regions, multiple mechanisms seem to act simultaneously or in close proximity. Analysis of winter forcing conditions shows a possibility of ISW generation when the region is ice‐covered. These findings underscore the prevalence and dynamic role of ISWs in Western Arctic mixing processes, highlighting the need for enhanced submesoscale observational and modeling efforts.