Scientists have revealed the most comprehensive map of the extent as well as thickness of sea-ice across the entire Arctic Ocean basin.

Unveiled at the Paris Air and Space Show, the map is based on data collected from the European Space Agency's CryoSat-2 satellite that was launched in April last year.

The map showing the thickness of the sea-ice gives a picture of rough, thicker and multi-year ice that ranges from north of Canada and Greenland to the North Pole and beyond. Elsewhere, the map depicts thinner layers of ice.

The map corresponds well with maps produced by other researchers. It shows that CryoSat-2 satellite is working well and that the satellite can accurately measure changes in ice thickness.

Dr. Seymour Laxon, a member of the research team, said, “This is the first time we’ve been able to measure sea-ice thickness over almost the entire Arctic ice pack.” However, he added, “We can’t yet say anything about changes- for that you need a longer dataset.”

CryoSat-2 is expected to help scientists determine how changes in the thickness of ice in the Arctic and Antarctica affect ocean circulation patterns, sea-levels and global climate.