1. The State of the Cryosphere
Purpose
To assess the current state of the cryosphere in the polar regions, to fill gaps in organization, observation, and knowledge of the cryosphere, to integrate disparate datasets and research, and to strengthen international cooperation with regard to cryospheric observing systems.
Rationale
The cryosphere – sea ice, lake ice, and river ice, snow cover and solid precipitation, glaciers, icebergs, ice sheets, ice caps, and frozen ground – plays an integral role in not only the polar climate system, but also in the global climate system. We need to develop a framework for assessing the polar cryospheric system and the related physical and chemical processes, interactions and impacts within the earth system. The International Polar Year (IPY) and the newly proposed Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Cryosphere Theme provide the opportunity for a coordinated circumpolar assessment of both polar regions by nations and their organisations, scientists and residents that likely would not be otherwise undertaken.
Approach
Support the U.S. component of the IGOS Cryosphere initiative. Specific tasks will be identified in the coming months. Broadly: assess user requirements, determine how well they are met with existing observations, expand observations and research to fill gaps.

2. Cryosphere
Snow - snow water equivalent, depth, extent, state, density, snowfall, solid precipitation, albedo - in-situ climate & synoptic (manual, auto), weather radar, remote sensing
Lake and River Ice - freeze-up/break-up, thickness, snow on ice - in-situ (shore based), remote sensing
Sea Ice - extent, concentration, open water, type, thickness, motion, icebergs, snow on ice, ridging density - landfast (manual), ship-based & aerial reconnaissance, satellite & airborne reconnaissance
Glaciers, Ice Caps, Ice sheets - mass balance (accumulation/ablation), thickness, area, length (geometry), firn temperature, snowline/equilibrium line, snow on ice - ground-based (in-situ), remote sensing
Frozen Ground/Permafrost - soil temperature/thermal state, active layer thickness, borehole temperature, extent, snow cover - in-situ (manual, auto), remote sensing (new)
Note 5 cryo elements and collaboration – NASA/EOS