Processes and Mechanics Responsible for the Repetitive Occurrence of the Pack Ice Boundary Shear Zone

A relatively narrow zone of ice ridges separates the stable landfast ice from the moving pack. This zone occurs yearly in about the same location. The physical characteristics of the ice ridges, shearing evenets and the seabed and water column features associated with this boundary are discussed. Hypotheses for the processes that operate to determine the morphology and location of the zone are examined and several approaches to examine these hypotheses are suggested.