Cryosphere
The collective portion of Earth's surface where water exists in solid frozen form.
Governing formula
Components: Sea Ice, Glaciers, Ice Sheets, Permafrost, Snow Cover
SI unit
km² (Spatial Extent) or Gt (Mass)
In depth
Acts as a major climate regulator. High ice albedo cools the planet by reflecting solar radiation. Polar ice sheet mass loss directly drives global sea level rise.
Examples in the real world
Monitoring seasonal Arctic sea ice minimum extent in September using satellite microwave radiometers.