Bering Strait, key to the Arctic?

Closing off the Bering Strait, would that be stupidest of all, or genius in its simplicity? One thing that seems sure is, it will have big effects, as it will close off most interchange between Pacific and Arctic waters, influencing the three most relevant factors.

ice factors

1.   temperature
2.   dynamics
3.   salinity

For all three factors a decrease is desirable. However, simply (and fully) closing off the Bering Strait may lead to the actual increase of one. As quantifying absolute influence or determining relative significance would off course require further study, at this stage one can only be in favour of this plan if all three factors would be decreased.

Fortunately, by adjusting the plan, this seems quite possible. To point out the expected influences on the three factors (temperature, dynamics, salinity) three different options will be analyzed, differentiating a plan A, B and C: the Diomede Dam, the Diomede Threshold and the St. Lawrence Dam.

< previous | next >