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Seafloor bathymetry map of the Nuuk region, West Greenland, measured as part of the "Greenland Rising" project. The project is a US National Science Foundation funded collaboration between Columbia University and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources with a goal to map shallow-water areas around coastal communities. Mapping was undertaken from the vessel "Sanna" in October 2020 and from a smaller charter vessel for shallow water mapping in June 2021. Data from both surveys were merged into a single grid. 

Seafloor bathymetry map of the Kullorsuaq region, Northwest (NW) Greenland from August 2020, measured as part of the "Greenland Rising" project. The project is a US National Science Foundation funded collaboration between Columbia University and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources with a goal to map shallow-water areas around coastal communities. Mapping was undertaken from the vessel "Sanna" in August 2020. 

Seafloor bathymetry map of the Aasiaat region, Western Greenland, measured as part of the "Greenland Rising" project. The project is a US National Science Foundation funded collaboration between Columbia University and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources with a goal to map shallow-water areas around coastal communities. Mapping was undertaken from the vessel "Sanna" in July-August 2020 and from a smaller charter vessel in July 2021 to map shallow-water regions. Datasets from both surveys have been merged to a single grid. 

Abstract Knowledge about seafloor depth, or bathymetry, is crucial for various marine activities, including scientific research, offshore industry, safety of navigation, and ocean exploration. Mapping the central Arctic Ocean is challenging due to the presence of perennial sea ice, which limits data collection to icebreakers, submarines, and drifting ice stations. The International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO) was initiated in 1997 with the goal of updating the Arctic Ocean bathymetric portrayal. The project team has since released four versions, each improving resolution and accuracy. Here, we present IBCAO Version 5.0, which offers a resolution four times as high as Version 4.0, with 100 × 100 m grid cells compared to 200 × 200 m. Over 25% of the Arctic Ocean is now mapped with individual depth soundings, based on a criterion that considers water depth. Version 5.0 also represents significant advancements in data compilation and computing techniques. Despite these improvements, challenges such as sea-ice cover and political dynamics still hinder comprehensive mapping.