Sea ice is a vital part of Arctic and Antarctic environments. Tracking the motion of sea ice is important for understanding how regional ecosystems are evolving, as well as for helping ships safely navigate polar waters.

Currents and wind are the major drivers of sea ice motion, though processes within the ice itself can also contribute to motion. The thickness of sea ice can affect its speed; that is, the way thinner ice expands and contracts can cause it to move faster or slower. Because of this, the melting of sea ice can have complicated effects on sea ice motion. 

NASA has several products useful to the study of sea ice motion, including visible light and thermal imagery, sea ice drift grids, and ocean wind, wave, and current data. These data help scientists better understand ocean processes, sea ice stress, global warming, polar ecosystems, and water cycles.