Growth mechanisms of 'Katie's Floeberg'

The growth mechanism of the grounded ice feature on Hanna's Shoal, located at approximately 162 deg W, 72 deg N in the Chukchi Sea, has been analyzed using Landsat I and II satellite imagery. The primary mechanism of growth was deduced to be the formation of large wedges of ice against the upstream edge of the feature. These wedges of piled ice form in three stages and may or may not become permanently affixed to the core of the feature. Remains of these growth patterns can sometimes be seen in the interior of the feature on the satellite imagery.