The cryosphere (from Greek kryos for cold) comprises all frozen parts of Earth. These are to a large part the frozen water bodies of the mountain glaciers, polar ice caps and sea ice are part of the hydrosphere. Additionally, the permafrost regions, frozen parts of the soil, are part of the cryosphere.
In total Earth’s cryosphere covers about 10 percent of the Earth surface. Due to the climate change with rising global temperatures the cryosphere is shrinking.
Select your Case Study:
| Glaciers, the frozen rivers | |
|---|---|
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Columbia Glacier, U.S.A. Higher temperatures and the rising sea level lead to a rapid decay of the Columbia Glacier. |
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Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland The largest glacier of the Alps is an example of the retreat of alpine glaciers. |
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Kilimanjaro Glacier, Tanzania There are not many glaciers in the tropical climate zone, and they are shrinking. |
