Sea-ice dynamics on triangular grids

Abstract: We present a stable discretization of sea-ice dynamics on triangular grids that can straightforwardly be coupled to an ocean model on a triangular grid with Arakawa C-type staggering. The approach is based on a nonconforming finite element framework, namely the Crouzeix-Raviart finite element. As the discretization of the viscous-plastic and elastic-viscous-plastic stress tensor with the Crouzeix-Raviart finite element produces oscillations in the velocity field, we introduce an edge-based stabilization. To show that the stabilized Crouzeix-Raviart approximation is qualitative consistent with the solution of the continuous sea-ice equations, we derive a $H^1$-estimate. In a numerical analysis we show that the stabilization is fundamental to achieve stable approximation of the sea-ice velocity field.