AP Photo

The continuation of melting sea ice and expansion of water in the Arctic Ocean is beginning to impact the degree to which the Arctic states - Canada, Denmark via Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the US and Russia - engage the region in what may soon become an Arctic race for natural resources and territory.

While each country has been mandated by the UN to register their claims in the Arctic region before various deadlines - Russia’s claim is due this year and Canada’s in 2013 - the Arctic states have already begun to deploy state forces and research teams to uncharted arctic territory.