Cryosphere: Ice Sheets and Sea Ice
Cryosphere: Ice Sheets and Sea Ice
💡 Key Takeaways
- Differentiate ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice and explain their roles in the climate system
- Describe how sea ice extent and ice sheet dynamics influence albedo, ocean circulation, and weather patterns
- Explain how cryosphere change drives sea-level rise and increases disaster risk (flooding, water supply disruption)
- Identify the main tools used to monitor ice sheets and sea ice (satellites, radar, field data, and climate models)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cryosphere?
The part of Earth where water is frozen—ice sheets, glaciers, sea ice, snow, and permafrost—that stores freshwater and strongly influences climate and weather.
What is the difference between ice sheets and sea ice?
Ice sheets are massive, land-based glaciers covering continents (e.g., Greenland, Antarctica). Sea ice forms on ocean water and floats; it does not raise sea level when it melts.
Does melting sea ice raise sea level?
No. Sea ice is already floating, so its melt has little effect on sea level. Land-based ice melt does raise sea level.
What is albedo and why is it important for ice?
Albedo is the reflectivity of a surface. Ice and snow reflect solar radiation, helping keep the planet cool. As ice melts and exposes darker surfaces, more heat is absorbed, accelerating warming.