bow view of the Louis St-Laurent, showing a lead

A view from the bow of the Louis St-Laurent shows a lead. Ice leads are cracks in the thick ice cover that vessels use because it minimalizes time spent breaking through the ice. Image courtesy of Arctic Exploration 2002, NOAA/OER.

Related Links

Arctic Expedition 2002

Arctic Exploration: Physical Nutrients and Primary Productivity

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery