Cryos-know-it

Where the World is Frozen : The Cryosphere

The word "cryosphere" originates from the Greek word kryos, meaning frost or cold, and refers to the portions of the Earth's surface where water is in a solid form, usually snow or ice. The Earth' s cryosphere includes sea ice, freshwater ice, snow, glaciers, frozen ground and permafrost. This section of the NSIDC Web site provides information about changes in the cryosphere and global climate and resources for teachers and students

Take a tour of the cryosphere with NASA - Go here to watch it

Satellite data indicate that during the past 30 years, Arctic sea ice extent has decreased at a rate of about 3 percent per decade while Northern Hemisphere snow cover has decreased by about the same amount during spring and summer. See The State of the Cryosphere to learn about snow and ice as indicators of climate change. Cold Links Search the online digital library for materials relevant to earth system education. Related Links Links to national and global research projects and professional organizations related to earth and cryospheric sciences. News Links to articles published by NSIDC and national media outlets related to climate change and elements of the cryosphere. Cryosphere Glossary Find terms and definitions for elements found in all of Earth's frozen regions.			All About Glaciers Glaciers and ice sheets cover about 10 percent of Earth's land area. Glaciers are masses of ice that accumulate from snowfall over long periods of time and continuously move from higher to lower ground.
			All About Sea Ice Sea ice is simply frozen ocean water. It forms, grows, and melts in the ocean. Many polar mammals and polar communities depend on sea ice for habitat.
			Snow, Avalanches, and Blizzards Seasonal snow cover, the largest component of the cryosphere, covers up to 33 percent of the Earth's total land surface.
			Arctic Climatology and Meteorology Primer Climate is defined as statistical weather information taken at one place for a specified interval. Learn about arctic weather patterns and what determines weather and climate.

Source courtesy of: http://nsidc.org/cryosphere/

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