Estimated sea-ice thickness in the Arctic (1993-2001). The
radar altimeters on the European ERS satellites have made it possible to estimate sea-ice thickness in the Arctic. Although a remarkable scientific achievement, the map demonstrates the shortcomings of the existing satellite systems - there is a large data gap at the pole and the most dynamic areas at the outer edges of the ice sheets are not covered. Reaching latitudes of 88°, CryoSat-2 will monitor precise changes in the thickness of the polar ice sheets and floating sea ice to fill these gaps.

Credits: Laxon S., Peacock N. & Smith D., (2003), High interannual variability of sea-ice
thickness in the Arctic Region, Nature, 425, 947-950. doi10.1038/nature02050.