First year sea ice forming floes in Antarctic Sound, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

sea ice floes antarctic sound southern ocean polar regions ice formation marine environment cold climate glacial processes oceanic changes arctic exploration polar ecosystems climate change wildlife habitat natural landscape ice dynamics weather patterns remote locations environmental science ecological studies thawing trends oceanography polar research ice coverage seasonal changes antarctic wildlife icy waters frigid temperatures ice patterns maritime phenomena ocean currents geographical features ice fragmentation climate monitoring ecological balance arctic regions insulation layer marine habitats antarctic exploration snow cover ice stability sub zero temperatures antarctic research scientific observations natural phenomena atmospheric conditions freezing conditions surface ice coastal ice environmental change