= Ice deformation
<Ice deformation> changes the shape and arrangement of <ice> under <stress>. In a <sea ice> cover, convergence can pile broken blocks into <sea-ice pressure ridges>, while divergence opens <leads> and shear displaces neighbouring floes. These processes redistribute thickness even before freezing or melting changes the total ice volume.
The distinction matters when interpreting an ice-thickness survey. A thicker local cover can result from mechanical convergence as well as thermodynamic growth. The ridges and their submerged keels also change drag and the storage space available below a floe.
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