Cryospheric

/ˌkraɪoʊˈsfɛrɪk/ adjective

Definition

relating to the cryosphere, which is all the frozen water on Earth, including ice sheets, glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice.

Etymology

From Greek 'kryos' (cold) + 'sphaira' (sphere) + '-ic' (relating to), literally 'relating to the cold sphere,' describing the frozen parts of Earth's system.

Kelly Says

Climate scientists are laser-focused on cryospheric changes because the cryosphere is melting faster than almost any other part of Earth—losing Arctic sea ice, Antarctic ice sheets, and mountain glaciers simultaneously signals serious climate disruption.

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