Data Sets for Research
Scientific Data Search
Support for Researchers
Data for Everyone
Sponsored Programs
Looking for facts and information? See About the Cryosphere.
On Thin Ice: Expedition to a Crumbling Ice Shelf
Scientists blog from Antarctica and provide a glimpse of what it's like to do research in the field. Read their blog ...
For the Media
For Data Users
Current Conditions
NSIDC In the News
Events
NSIDC Highlights
Icelights: Answers to your burning questions about ice and climate
What's hot in the news around climate and sea ice and what are scientists talking about now? Read more...
About NSIDC
About the Cryosphere
What is the Cryosphere?
When scientists talk about the cryosphere, they mean the places on Earth where water is in its solid form, frozen into ice or snow. Read more ...
As the Aurora Australis passes by an iceberg, the crew aboard take video footage and photographs to remember this particular momentPhoto Credit: NSIDC Courtesy Andi Pfaffling (View photo detail.)
The trail left behind by the Aurora Australis after navigating past the iceberg in the background. Photo Credit: NSIDC Courtesy Andi Pfaffling (View photo detail.)
An airborne view of the overlapping nila shifting into the smooth snow-covered sea ice. Photo Credit: NSIDC Courtesy Andi Pfaffling (View photo detail.)
AWI's self-developed Helicopter EM Sensor, seated on its suspension rack. Photo Credit: NSIDC Courtesy Andi Pfaffling (View photo detail.)
An airborne view of the Aurora Australis on the way back from an aerial data collection trip. Photo Credit: NSIDC Courtesy Andi Pfaffling (View photo detail.)