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        CIRES' National Snow and Ice Data Center
RESEARCH GROUPS @ CIRES >

NSIDC: Supporting and Conducting Cryospheric Research Since 1976
Researchers at CIRES' National Snow and Ice Data Center About NSIDC ] investigate the dynamics of Antarctic ice shelves, new techniques for the remote sensing of snow and freeze/thaw cycle of soils, the role of snow in hydrologic modeling, linkages between changes in sea ice extent and weather patterns, large-scale shifts in polar climate, river and lake ice, and the distribution and characteristics of seasonally and permanently frozen ground. In-house scientific expertise helps NSIDC improve the quality of research data sets and respond quickly to inquiries on snow and ice topics from the general public. Scientists pursue their work as part of the CIRES' Cryospheric and Polar Processes Division. National agencies fund research through the peer review proposal process.

NSIDC Research Projects
Since 1982, CIRES' scientists at NSIDC, working on various research projects, have investigated the impact and response of the cryosphere in the global climate system .

NSIDC Researchers in CIRES News & Events

snowflake: State of the Cryosphere logoNSIDC's State of the Cryosphere web site provides an overview of the status of snow and ice as indicators of climate change. The site provides time-series data for Northern Hemisphere snow cover, mountain glacier fluctuations, sea ice extent and concentration, changes in ice shelves, and global sea level. It also provides a snapshot of current permafrost conditions.

For other cryospheric research at CIRES, see also the Cassano (polar climate and meteorology) and Steffen (Greenland/arctic climate) research group sites.