THE FUTURE: CRYOSPHERE Flashcards
(29 cards)
is defined as the portion of the Earth’s surface where water is in solid form
CRYOSPHERE
“krios” which means
icy cold
“sphaira” which means
globe
It includes frozen parts of the ocean, like waters surrounding Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as frozen rivers and lakes, primarily in polar regions.
CRYOSPHERE
Thick layer of ice that covers land, often found in polar regions and mountainous areas.
Ice Cap
Freshly fallen frozen water particles that blanket the ground in winter, creating a layer of soft, white accumulation.
Snow
A massive, slow-moving river of ice formed from compacted snow, usually found in mountainous areas.
Glacier
The frozen surfaces that form on lakes and rivers during cold weather, providing a temporary shield over the water below.
Lake and River Ice
Permanently frozen ground that remains below freezing for at least two consecutive years, typically found in polar and subpolar regions.
Permafrost
Frozen seawater that forms on the ocean’s surface in polar regions, has an important role in Earth’s climate and ecosystems.
Sea Ice
Large chunks of ice that break away from glaciers or ice shelves and float in the ocean, often visible above the waterline.
Iceberg
Thick plate of ice that forms where a glacier meets the ocean, extending out over the water but still anchored to the land.
Ice Shelf
A vast, thick layer of ice covering a significant area of land, like Greenland or Antarctica, that flows and shapes the land beneath it.
Ice Sheet
T OR F: The cryosphere is vital for climate regulation, with its snow and ice cover reflecting solar energy back into space, thus cooling the planet
T
Y OR N: Furthermore, the cryosphere plays a crucial role in storing freshwater, with glaciers and seasonal snow cover serving as natural reservoirs.
YES
NEGATIVE IMPACT
Sea Level Rise
Habitat Loss
Freshwater Availability
Agriculture
Climate Change
POSITIVE IMPACT
Helps cool the Earth
Provide Fresh
Provides Clean Energy
Support Unique Life and Culture
HOW TO HANDLE/ADDRESS THIS SITUATION
Mitigation
Adaptation
Enhanced monitoring and research
involves aggressively reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and curbing deforestation to slow down the rate of cryosphere loss.
Mitigation
requires developing and implementing strategies to manage the unavoidable consequences of cryosphere change, such as sea-level rise and altered water availability, through infrastructure improvements, disaster preparedness, and water resource management.
Adaptation
are crucial for understanding the complex processes within the cryosphere and improving predictions of future changes, while international cooperation is essential for sharing knowledge, coordinating efforts, and implementing effective policies to protect this critical component of the Earth system.
Enhanced monitoring and research
T OR F: The decline of Arctic sea ice, caused by human-driven warming, reduces the planet’s reflectivity and disrupts ocean currents, affecting weather patterns worldwide
T
WMO
World Meteorological Organization
is a leading intergovernmental organization focusing on cryosphere monitoring and protection.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
