Deformation of the Arctic Ocean ice cover after the 2007 record minimum in summer ice extent

► Examined deformation of the Arctic sea ice cover after the record minimum in summer extent in 2007. ► Ice drift and deformation derived from high-resolution RADARSAT imagery. ► Poleward of 80°N, we find a net convergence of more than 14% over the period. ► South of 80°N, there is a 25% divergence, accompanied by a large regional vorticity of − 0.93 (or a clockwise rotation of ~ 53°). ► These sustained strain rates, impacts the area and thickness distribution of the sea ice cover in the Arctic Basin.