Articles | Volume 22, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1727-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1727-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 May 2026
Research article |
| 29 May 2026
| 29 May 2026
Stratification and mixed layer depth around Iceland: Characterization and inter-annual variability
Earth Science Institute, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Esther Portela
Laboratoire d’Océanographie Physique et Spatiale, University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, Plouzané, France
Charly de Marez
Earth Science Institute, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Laboratoire d’Océanographie Physique et Spatiale, University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, Plouzané, France
Andreas Macrander
Hafrannsóknastofnun/Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
Sólveig Rósa Ólafsdóttir
Hafrannsóknastofnun/Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
Thomas Meunier
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
Steingrímur Jónsson
Hafrannsóknastofnun/Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland
M. Dolores Pérez-Hernández
Unidad océano y clima, Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ULPGC, Unidad Asociada ULPGC-CSIC, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Short summary
Analysis of 1990–2019 hydrographic around Iceland identifies three dynamical regions: an α-ocean south with warm Atlantic Water and deep mixed layers, a β-ocean northwest with salinity-dominated stratification and shallow mixed layers, and a northeastern transition zone with seasonal shifts. Waters warmed, especially in the northeast, showing Atlantification. Density decreases occur in the south, while other regions show density-compensated variability, with no clear trend in mixed layer depth.
Analysis of 1990–2019 hydrographic around Iceland identifies three dynamical regions: an α-ocean...
