The mass balance of the cryosphere : observations and modelling of contemporary and future changes

The cryosphere comprises all the frozen water and soil on the surface of the Earth. Mass Balance of the Cryosphere focuses on two key components of this environment: land ice (in the form of ice sheets, caps and glaciers) and sea ice. These components have been identified as important indicators of both short and long term climate change. Early chapters cover the theory behind field-based and satellite observations, and modelling of mass balance, providing a thorough grounding in all the concepts and issues presented later in the book. Later chapters review our current understanding of the present and predicted future mass balance of the cryosphere. This is an important reference for all scientists working in the fields of climate change, environmental sciences and glaciology. It is written by leading authors in the field, and is fully integrated to provide a coherent, cross-referenced and consistent exposition on the subject. Providing a comprehensive overview of the significance of the glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland, this study reviews the theory behind climatological observations. It describes present modelling studies and predicted future changes in the mass balances of these key indicators of global climate change. The volume is an important reference for scientists working in climate change, environmental sciences and glaciology. "This book is an important reference for all scientists working in the fields of climate change, environmental sciences and glaciology, and provides a valuable supplementary text for senior undergraduate and graduate courses in glaciology. It has been written by leading authors in the field, and is fully integrated to provide a coherent, cross-referenced and consistent exposition on the subject."--Jacket. Land and sea ice combined form the largest part of the Earth's cryosphere, responding to climate change over timescales ranging from seasons to millennia. This is a detailed and comprehensive overview of the observation and modelling of present and predicted future trends in the mass balance of ice on Earth The cryosphere can loosely be defined as all frozen water and soil on the surface of the Earth.