New Arctic seabed chart marks significant progress in ocean floor mapping
A major leap in seafloor mapping has been achieved with the release of Version 5.0 of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO). Announced by The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, this update adds 1.4 million square kilometres of new data – an area more than three times the size of Sweden – to the global seafloor map.
This latest advancement brings the world closer to a fully mapped ocean floor by 2030, delivering unprecedented detail of the Arctic seabed. Beyond expanding our knowledge, the enhanced dataset supports safer navigation, scientific research and informed decision-making for ocean policy and exploration.
Established in 1997, IBCAO has long been the authoritative source of bathymetry for the Arctic Ocean, with the latest version – published in Scientific Data by Nature – representing a quantum leap in detail, with a grid-cell size of 100 x 100 metres, compared to 200 x 200 metres in the previous version.
This achievement was made possible through advanced compilation methods, including the use of cloud-based distributed computing and the integration of metadata.
Overcoming obstacles with groundbreaking technology
The release also highlights the challenges and innovations associated with mapping the Arctic Ocean, where perennial sea-ice cover and extreme conditions have traditionally limited data collection. Overcoming these obstacles has required groundbreaking technology and international collaboration.
Martin Jakobsson, co-head of Seabed 2030’s Arctic and North Pacific Regional Center, stated: “The release of IBCAO Version 5.0 is a testament to the collaborative effort of the Arctic research community and our dedication to overcoming the challenges posed by the extreme Arctic environment. This dataset not only furthers our understanding of the Arctic seabed, but also exemplifies the power of teamwork in advancing global knowledge.”
Seabed 2030 project director Jamie McMichael-Phillips said: “This release underscores the importance of regional initiatives such as IBCAO in helping us to achieve our goal of a fully mapped ocean floor by 2030. It represents a crucial step towards making essential data accessible for sustainable ocean management.”
All data collected and shared with the Seabed 2030 project will be included in the free and publicly available GEBCO global grid.
North of Greenland Expedition
In September 2024, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat launched the 2024 GEOEO North of Greenland Expedition aboard the icebreaker Oden. The mission made history as the first to reach the remote Victoria Fjord in North Greenland. The invaluable data collected during the expedition will be contributed to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project.
Departing from the northernmost deep-water port, the expedition focused on exploring the Victoria Fjord region to assess how quickly and to what extent the North Greenland ice sheet could contribute to global sea-level rise. Despite the challenging conditions of multi-year sea ice and pressure ridges, the team of 40 researchers from Sweden, the USA, Denmark, Australia and Switzerland successfully reached their destination.
At the helm of this groundbreaking effort were Professors Martin Jakobsson and Larry Mayer, who also serves as co-director of Seabed 2030’s Arctic and North Pacific Ocean Regional Center. Their leadership guided the geophysical mapping work, aimed at enhancing our understanding of this remote region’s role in global climate change and sea-level dynamics. The findings are expected to significantly advance Arctic research, providing crucial insights for climate science and environmental conservation.
