Cryosphere

Alternative definitions (8), class: vernacular (0)
Term: Cryosphere
Definition: One of the earth's spheres of irregular form existing in the zone of interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, distinguished by negative or zero temperature and the presence of water in the solid or super-cooled state; the term refers collectively to the portions of the earth where water is in solid form, including snow cover, floating ice, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, seasonally frozen ground and perennially frozen ground (permafrost).  NSIDCCryosphere 

All regions on and beneath the surface of the Earth and ocean where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers and ice sheets, and frozen ground (which includes permafrost).  IPCC2014 

The component of the climate system consisting of all snow, ice and frozen ground (including permafrost) on and beneath the surface of the Earth and ocean.  EU-ADAPT 

Total ice, snow and permafrost masses of the world.  WMOHydrology 

That part of the earth's crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere subject to temperatures below 0EC for at least part of each year"  IPAPermafrost 

That part of the earth's crust, hydrosphere and atmosphere subject to temperatures below 0C for at least part of each year. The Cryosphere may be divided into the cryoatmosphere, the cryohydrosphere (Snow Cover, Glaciers, and river, lake and sea Ice) and the cryolithosphere (perennially and seasonally Cryotic Ground, Rock Glacier). Some authorities exclude the earth's atmosphere from the Cryosphere; others restrict the term Cryosphere to the regions of the earth's crust where Permafrost exists.  TrombottoGeocryology 

That portion of the earth where natural materials (water, soil, etc.) occur in frozen form. Generally limited to the polar latitudes and higher elevations.  AMSglossary 

 GCW 
Created 2017.06.06
Last Modified 2022.03.08
Contributed by GCW Glossary
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