The variability of sea ice in the polar regions is an important factor in the climate system, particularly because of its strong influence on heat and freshwater transports as well as momentum exchange between ocean and atmosphere. To describe these effects accurately, ice conditions need to be known over long time periods and wide regions. Models are able to produce such data but need to be verified by observations (Lemke et al., 1998). One classical model variable which can be validated quite well with remote sensing methods (SMMR, SSM/I) is the ice coverage. Modelled ice drift can be verified by comparing observed and simulated drift trajectories (Kreyscher et al., 1998). Ice thickness observations, however, are only rarely available from drillings, sonar measurements and laser altimeter recordings.
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