ClimateAugust 29, 2026

cryosphere

KRY-oh-sfear

Definition

The portions of Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and frozen ground.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'kryos' (meaning icy cold or frost) and 'sphaira' (meaning globe or ball). It was coined in the 1970s to describe the global collection of frozen water systems.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the complex, frozen water systems of the Tibetan Plateau that, when integrated with the atmosphere and hydrology, help regulate regional water supplies.

Asia’s ‘Water Tower’ under climate stress: What a ‘wobbling’ Tibetan Plateau means for India

Read the full article ↗

Business Today

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