Aspect ratio affects iceberg melting

How iceberg shape affects melting is investigated in a combined experimental and numerical study of ice melting in warm salt water. Experiments show that, in contrast to previous models, melting is highly nonuniform---side melt rates can be up to 3 times larger than bottom melt rates, and melt rates vary significantly within each face. Numerical simulations reveal that vortices accelerate melting at high flow speeds, and double diffusive effects matter at low flow speeds. Improved parameterizations to incorporate nonuniform iceberg melting are proposed.