The European Space Agency's ice mission has become the first to show Arctic sea ice thickness in almost real time to aid maritime activities.

CryoSat has now delivered complete maps of sea ice thickness, which strongly indicates the effect of global warming, ESA reported. The satellite boasts radar that can "see through" clouds in pitch darkness, allowing it to get an ultra-accurate sea ice measurement. New technology also allows this data to be delivered at a breakneck speed of only two days.

"This new capability goes far beyond CryoSat's original purpose, which was to collect measurements for scientific research," said Professor Andy Shepherd, CPOM Director and the CryoSat's principal scientific advisor. "The mission is now an essential tool for a wide range of services operating in areas of the planet where sea ice forms."

The new rapid access to information will ensure that those sailing the Arctic region can plan out their voyages safely, and could also boost the efficiency of scientific endeavors.

"We've already found that, although Arctic sea ice set a record this year for its lowest ever winter extent, it was about 25 [centimeters] thicker, on average, than in 2013, when CryoSat recorded its lowest winter volume," said CPOM researcher Rachel Tilling.

The latest measurements, outlined on a new ice data website, show the sea ice around Norway's Svalbard Archipelago is about one meter thick, which is only half of what it was in 2011. This is believed to indicate warming present around the Barents Sea.

"We've already seen the impact of this change in ocean conditions on Svalbard's Austfonna ice cap, where glaciers have speeded up at unprecedented rates, and the rapid retreat of sea ice in this sector of the Arctic is almost certainly down to the same thing," Shepard said.

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