Summary The Cryospheric regions, or regions where water is found in solid form, are among the most sensitive to temperature change. Average temperatures in snow and ice-covered areas typically remain below zero Celsius much of the year. Unlike other substances found on Earth, ice and snow exist relatively close to their melting point and frequently change phase from solid to liquid and back again. ... Consequently, consistent and prolonged warming trends should result in observable changes to the Earth's cryosphere. Scientists have the opportunity to monitor temperature by observing such phase changes.
This web site presents a summary of cryospheric and related indicators of global climate trends including:
-temperature change over the past century -trends in hemispheric snow extent -trends in hemispheric sea ice extent -glacier melt -changes in sea level
[Summary adapted from the State of the Cryosphere website.]
Related URL
Link:
VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE
Description:
NSIDC's State of the Cryosphere provides an overview of the status of snow and
ice as indicators of climate change. The introduction examines how the
cryosphere is sending signals of a changing climate. State of the Cryosphere
also provides time-series data for northern hemisphere snow cover, mountain
glacier fluctuations, sea ice extent and concentration, and global sea level,
as well as a snapshot of current permafrost conditions.
Link:
VIEW RELATED INFORMATION
Description:
"All About Glaciers" is a web site containing glacier information,news, and
links to data and imagery sources.
Link:
VIEW RELATED INFORMATION
Description:
The "World Glacier Inventory" contains information for over 67,000 glaciers
through out the world. Parameters within the inventory include: geographic
location, area, length, orientation, elevation, and classification of
morphological type and moraines.
Service Citation
Originators:
National Snow and Ice Data Center
Title:
State of the Cryosphere
Provider:
National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
URL:
http://nsidc.org/sotc/index.html
Name:
NSIDC DAAC
USER SERVICES
Phone:
+1 (303) 492-6199
Fax:
+1 (303) 492-2468
Email:
nsidc at nsidc.org
Contact Address:
National Snow and Ice Data Center
CIRES, 449 UCB
University of Colorado City:
Boulder
Province or State:
CO
Postal Code:
80309-0449
Country:
USA
Name:
NSIDC
USER SERVICES
Phone:
+1 (303) 492-6199
Fax:
+1 (303) 492-2468
Email:
nsidc at nsidc.org
Contact Address:
National Snow and Ice Data Center
CIRES, 449 UCB
University of Colorado City:
Boulder
Province or State:
CO
Postal Code:
80309-0449
Country:
USA
Distribution Media
Distribution_Media:
Electronic
Distribution_Format:
HTML
Personnel
NSIDC DAAC
USER SERVICES Role:
TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone:
+1 (303) 492-6199
Fax:
+1 (303) 492-2468
Email:
nsidc at nsidc.org
Contact Address:
National Snow and Ice Data Center
CIRES, 449 UCB
University of Colorado City:
Boulder
Province or State:
CO
Postal Code:
80309-0449
Country:
USA
TYLER
B.
STEVENS Role:
SERF AUTHOR
Phone:
(301) 614-6898
Fax:
301-614-5268
Email:
Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Global Change Master Directory City:
Greenbelt
Province or State:
MD
Postal Code:
20771
Country:
USA
Creation and Review Dates
SERF Creation Date:
2000-02-07
SERF Last Revision Date:
2009-10-02
Links
