Greenland Community Ice Information Service - Version 2.4 - Use Cases

Aug 20, 2026

Greenland Community Ice Information Service delivers Earth Observation–based guidance to Inuit hunters, tourism operators, local communities, and search and rescue teams, enabling safer navigation over coastal sea ice despite climate-driven change. Expert analysis of Sentinel-1 satellite imagery produces local travel suitability maps. These are combined with Copernicus Marine Service layers such as sea ice fraction and snow thickness, available via a website and mobile app, improving situational awareness and transport safety while supporting traditional livelihoods and the local economy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Use Cases

Decision-making support tool

Safer transport for people and goods along ice roads

Supporting traditional ways of life and protecting lives

Benefits

Safety over ice

Facts and key numbers

Copernicus Marine Service USE CASES Version 2.4 GREENLAND COMMUNITY ICE INFORMATION SERVICE For northern communities, the ability to move safely over ice is an essential part of culture, community and livelihood for travel, food, and tourism. The challenge of travelling on ice is compounded by the changing climate. The Greenland community ice information service provides Inuit hunters, tourism operators, local communities, and search and rescue operators with Earth Observation (EO)-based information that helps them to navigate safely over the sea ice in coastal waters. The first demonstration was held in the community of Qaanaaq, Greenland. The service is now being extended to all Greenland communities. As part of the service, Sentinel 1 satellite imagery is analyzed by an expert to determine the ice conditions around the community. Local maps are created delineating conditions suitable for travel as. The satellite imagery and travel maps are combined with Copernicus Marine Service data such as: sea ice fraction and snow thickness. These data layers are available to users through a website and a mobile phone app. More here: [http://floeedge.polarview.org/](http://floeedge.polarview.org/) • USE CASE OVERVIEW 􀁿 Decision-making support tool 􀁿 safer transport for people and goods along ice roads to/from islands 􀁿 supporting traditional ways of life as well as protecting lives and contributing to the Greenland economy • BENEFITS FOR USER 􀁿 ARCTIC AND GREENLAND SEA ICE SERVICE 􀁿 SAFETY OVER ICE 􀁿 SEA ICE 􀁿 TRAVEL POLAR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING Copernicus Marine Service USE CASES Version 2.4 Although deaths are rare, the search and rescue effort required to retrieve stranded individuals is costly in both time and money, as well as endangering the rescuers. As an example in the Canadian context, in 2013 the extraction of 31 people (including a 16-person Inuit hunting party) turned out to be one of the largest Arctic rescues that the Royal Canadian Air Force has ever undertaken. Over a two-day period, the rescue involved three dozen aircrew and six aircraft in co-operation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local authorities, turning into a major news story that was reported around the world. The rescue operation also cost Canadian taxpayers $2.7 million. • FACTS AND KEY NUMBERS A variety of information products from the Copernicus Marine Service are included, such as: sea ice fraction and snow thickness. The integration of this information provides an enhanced situational awareness for users. Product in use 1 Product in use 2 • C MP REOMDSUCT IN USE Polar View is a world leading organization for the provision of operational, satellite-based monitoring of the polar regions and the cryosphere. More information here Contact David Arthurs [david.arthurs@polarview.org](david.arthurs@polarview.org) • CM EMS USER polarview [floeedge.polarview.org/](floeedge.polarview.org/) POLAR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING COPERNICUS MARINE SERVICE Any question, please contact [servicedesk.cmems@mercator-ocean.eu](servicedesk.cmems@mercator-ocean.eu)[ ](servicedesk.cmems@mercator-ocean.eu)[http://marine.copernicus.eu/](http://marine.copernicus.eu/)

FAQs

What problem does the Greenland Community Ice Information Service address?

It helps northern communities travel safely on changing sea ice by providing reliable, EO-based information for navigation, travel planning, and operations.

How are ice conditions determined for each community?

Sentinel-1 satellite imagery is analyzed by an expert to determine local ice conditions, then travel-suitable areas are delineated in maps.

What data layers and delivery methods are used by the service?

Travel maps are combined with Copernicus Marine Service data such as sea ice fraction and snow thickness, and the resulting information is provided through a website and a mobile phone app.

Aug 20, 2026

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