Global Sea Ice Type Classification from Multisensor Satellite Data

A 2018 dataset from EUMETSAT provides global sea ice type classification for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It distinguishes between multiyear ice and first-year ice using a Bayesian approach to combine passive and active microwave sensor data. The product is derived from multimission satellite observations.

Use Cases

• Classify sea ice as multiyear or first-year ice using passive and active microwave sensor data.
• Analyze seasonal ice type coverage in the Northern Hemisphere outside the summer months (mid-May to September).
• Compare ice type distribution between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres using the hemispheric classification products.
• Study long-term trends in first-year vs. multiyear ice composition for climate modeling.

Strengths

• Covers both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for global analysis.
• Uses a multi-sensor, Bayesian fusion method combining passive and active microwave data.

Limitations

• No valid classification data is available for the Northern Hemisphere between mid-May and 30 September.
• No ice type classification has been defined for the Southern Hemisphere, so its product files contain no valid data.
• The dataset's last known update was in April 2018, indicating potential temporal staleness.

Provenance

Source

EUMETSAT, via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Derived from passive microwave and active microwave sensors using a multi-sensor Bayesian approach.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated on 2018-04-05.

Geography

Global coverage of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.