A1-4 The Cryosphere

The cryosphere is the subsystem that includes all of the Earth’s frozen water. This includes polar ice caps, glaciers, and snow.

Word Link
Cryosphere: Cryo is based on the Greek word kryos which means cold. Sphere is based on the Latin word sphaera which means ball. Cryosphere literally means cold ball.

What Do You Think?
Path of the midnight Sun over the course of 12 hours over a fjord in Norway.

Very Special Lines of Latitude

The Arctic Circle is a line of latitude (i.e. 66.560 N) in the North that has a very special meaning.

  1. What is unique about the location of the Arctic Circle?

    North of the Arctic Circle the Sun is above the horizon for a full 24 hours (i.e. no sunset) for at least one day of the year (i.e. on June 20 or 21). North of the Arctic Circle the Sun is also below the horizon for a full 24 hours (i.e. no sunrise) for at least one day of the year (i.e. on December 21 or 22).
  • Click here to view the Antarctic Circle in the southern hemisphere.

  1. Use the answer to question 1 to help you determine what is unique about the line of latitude (i.e. 66.560 S) known as the Antarctic Circle.

    South of the Antarctic Circle the Sun is above the horizon for a full 24 hours (i.e. no sunset) for at least one day of the year (i.e. on December 21 or 22). South of the Antarctic Circle the Sun is also below the horizon for a full 24 hours (i.e. no sunrise) for at least one day of the year (i.e. on June 20 or 21).