Dr. Steele is interested in the large-scale circulation of sea ice and water in theArctic Ocean. He uses both observed data and numerical model simulations tobetter understand the average circulation pathways as well as the causes ofinterannual variations in these pathways. Analysis of ocean observations hasfocused on the upper layers, which are generally quite cold and fresh.
Dr, Steele has active field programs in which data are collected in the field by histeam and others, using aircraft, ships, and autonomous sensors like buoys andprofiling floats. He is also involved with efforts to improve computer models of thearctic marine system, via the Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project, AOMIP.