Influence of climate warming on the strength characteristics of ice in the Ob Bay

The article presents results of investigation of the climate warming effects in the northern polar region of the Earth, in particular on some characteristics of ice in the northern part of the Ob Bay (the area of the most active economic activity of the Russian Federation in the last decade). It is determined that over the past 40 years, morphometric and strength characteristics of ice have significantly changed. Estimates of ice thickness obtained using simple empirical formulas (depending on the sum of the degree-days of frost) show that the ice thickness decreased here by an average of 10 15%. The strength characteristics of ice were analyzed for two periods: the maximum strength of ice (for this area it is March) and the maximum development of ice thickness (usually it is May). It was found that the strength properties of ice (bending and compression) for both periods decreased by 10-12%. Thus, in recent decades, under the influence of climate warming in the Ob Bay, the thickness and strength of the ice cover have significantly decreased. This circumstance will be favorable for further development of the considered water area by Russian oil and gas companies.