A sea-ice lead is a fracture or elongated opening in a sea-ice cover, containing open water or young thin ice. Divergence and shear create leads, while freezing and convergence close them.
// Target: geophysics.bigb
Sea-ice lead-width distributions depend on observational thresholds, resolution and whether leads are counted individually or weighted by area. Observations commonly exhibit a broad, approximately power law range, with many narrow leads and a relatively heavy tail.
// Target: geophysics.bigb
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In the context of sea ice, a "lead" refers to a narrow, linear opening or crack in the sea ice cover. Leads can form due to various processes, including wind and ocean currents, which can push or pull the ice apart, creating fractures. They can vary in size, from small cracks to larger openings, and can be temporary or persist for longer periods depending on environmental conditions.