A
pressure ridge develops in an ice cover as a result of a stress regime established within the plane of the ice. Within
sea ice expanses, pressure ridges originate from the interaction between floes, as they collide with each other. Currents and winds are the main driving forces, but the latter are particularly effective when they have a predominant direction. Pressure ridges are made up of angular ice blocks of various sizes that pile up on the floes. The part of the ridge that is above the water surface is known as the
sail; that below it as the
keel. Pressure ridges are the thickest sea ice features and account for about one-half of the total sea ice volume.
Stamukhi are pressure ridges that are grounded and that result from the interaction between
fast ice and the drifting pack ice.