Baikal ice rings: a new hydrodynamic approach

Abstract

The phenomenon of ice rings in Baikal is discussed. It is shown that the thawing of ice from below in the shape of a ring is due to the formation of a vertical circular Stewartson layer on the lateral surface of the geostrophic eddy and, as a result, the appearance of a divergent vortex in the intersection area of the vertical cylindrical Stewartson layer and the horizontal under-ice Ekman layer.