In this paper, two sets of evolution equations for the area fraction and the ice thickness are investigated. First of all, a simplified alternative derivation of the evolution equations as presented by Gray and Morland (1994) is given. In addition, it is shown that with proper identification of ridging functions, there is a close connection between the derived equations and the thickness distribution model introduced by Thorndike et al. (1975). ¿American Geophysical Union 1995