Cryosphere Activities

Cryosphere Activities

© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7

Students are challenged to prepare a report and public information display to explain how advancing and retreating glaciers would affect their community. 
Students will:

• Understand how and why the cryosphere is a part of Earth systems. 
• Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence. 
• Recognize the global impacts of the advancing or retreating of glaciers. 
• Appreciate the value of Earth science information in improving the quality of lives, globally and within the community. 

Activity 1  --  Ice is an Unusual Material

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites: 1. The Unusual Properties of Ice

• "Water and Ice" - MathMol - NYU/ACF Scientific Visualization Laboratory 

This site compares the atomic structures of water and ice using text, color images, and movies.
(http://www.nyu.edu/pages/mathmol/modules/water/info_water.html)
• "Ice" - California Institute of Technology - Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences 

This site covers the atomic structure of ice (including a review of hydrogen bonds) and looks at how the atomic structure influences how ice looks, flows, feels, etc.
(http://skua.gps.caltech.edu/hermann/ice.htm)
• "The Structure of Solids" - Purdue University 

This site reviews the atomic structures of different solids (besides ice). 
(http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch13/categoryframe.html)

2. Ice in the Atmosphere

• "Questions and Answers About Snow" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

List of questions and answers about snow, including topics such as why snow is white, how its texture changes with temperature, and more.
(http://nsidc.org/NSIDC/EDUCATION/SNOW/snow_FAQ.html)
• "Snow Crystals" - California Institute of Technology 

Click on links on menu to cover early snow crystal observation, photo collections, snow crystal classifications, snowflakes grown in the laboratory ("designer snowflakes"), and a snow crystal primer that provides information on snow crystal physics.
(http://www.its.caltech.edu/%7Eatomic/snowcrystals/)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
1.  Students will need a plastic milk jug, a measuring cup (to measure volume), water, and access to a freezer.

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Activity 2  --  How Glaciers Respond to Changes in Climate

To learn more about this topic: 1.  How Glaciers Form and Move
 

• "Ice Sheets and Glaciers" - NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

Introduces ice sheet and glacier formation, their importance in regards to influencing and monitoring global climate, their influence on atmospheric and oceanic circulation, how glaciers move, and more.  Also looks at the technology that scientists use to study glaciers.
(http://southport.jpl.nasa.gov/nrc/chapter5.html)
• "Ice of All Shapes and Sizes" - Rice University GLACIER page 

Site reviews the different types of ice masses, including ice sheets and valley glaciers.  Includes color images and photographs.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_iceofallshapes.html)
• "What is a Glacier?" - Rice University GLACIER page 

This site reviews the basics of glacier formation, including accumulation and ablation.  Includes profiles to show the different parts of ice sheets and valley glaciers.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_whatisaglacier.html)
• "All About...Glaciers home page" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Click on links to view FAQ about glaciers, interesting glacial facts, a comprehensive glossary of glacial terms, and an extensive photo gallery of glaciers and glacial features.  Also, the "Glacier Story" provides a quick overview of glaciers.
(http://nsidc.org/glaciers/information.html)
• "Measuring a Moving Glacier" - Sauber et al., 1995, Earth in Space, vol. 8, no. 3, AGU 

Online article explains how scientists have used GPS to study the movement of the Bering Glacier in southern Alaska.
(http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/sauber.html)
• "Glaciers - Photos" - Colorado State University 

Click on link to view images of different types of glaciers and glacial landforms.
(http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/~afrank/physical/topics/glacier/photos/photos.html)
• "Glaciers: Clues to Future Climates?" - R.S. Williams, Jr., USGS 

General interest publication covers the basics of glaciers, including how they form, where they are found today, hazards and benefits associated with glacers, how they can be used to make inferences about climate and more.  Includes numerous photographs.  In PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat to view)
(http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/202OVHDS/GLACgeog.HTM)

 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity: To learn more about present-day glacial activity, visit the following web sites:

• "Glacier News" - All About Glaciers - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

(http://nsidc.org/glaciers/news/index.html)
• "Where are Glaciers Today?" - Rice University GLACIER page 

Reviews glaciers in temperate, subpolar, and polar environments.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_warmice.html)

To learn more about the Precambrian glaciers, visit the following web sites:

• "Snowball Earth" - Scientific American  

(http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=00027B74-C59A-1C75-9B81809EC588EF21&pageNumber=4&catID=2)

 

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Activity 3  --  How Do Glaciers Affect Sea Level?

To learn more about this topic:

1.  How Glaciers Affect Global Sea Level
 
• "Sea Surface and Sea Level" - Atmospheric Radiation and Measurement Program - DOE 

Online article reviews terms commonly used to describe sea level change, the causes of long- and short-term sea level change, how sea level change is tied to global warming, how weather impacts sea level, and more.
(http://www.arm.gov/docs/education/background/seavari.html)
• "Global Sea Level Change: Determination and Interpretation" - Douglas, B.C., 1995, Rev. Geophys., Vol. 33, Suppl., AGU 

Online article reviews current interest in sea level change, impacts of sea level rise, and research techniques for measuring changes in sea level over time.
(http://earth.agu.org/revgeophys/dougla01/dougla01.html)
• "Ice Sheets and Glaciers" - NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

Introduces ice sheet and glacier formation, their importance in regards to influencing and monitoring global climate, their influence on atmospheric and oceanic circulation, how glaciers move, and their impact on sea level change.  Also looks at the technology that scientists use to study glaciers.
(http://southport.jpl.nasa.gov/nrc/chapter5.html)
• "Sea Level Change and Climate" - USGS Fact Sheet 002-00 

This fact sheet looks at how glacial-interglacial cycles impact sea level and how a melting of today's glaciers could cause sea level to rise.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/factsheet/fs2-00/)
• "Global Sea Level: Is global sea level rising?" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Reviews influence of glaciers on sea level.  Includes a graph which shows how glaciers have contributed to sea level changes over the past 40 years.
(http://nsidc.org/NASA/SOTC/sea_level.html)

  To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To view the Vostok ice core data, visit the following web site:

• http://www.agu.org/eos_elec/99148e.html#fig3 

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Activity 4  --  How Rising and Falling Sea Levels Modify the Landscape

To learn more about this topic: 1. How Rising and Falling Sea Levels Modify the Landscape
 

• "Geological History of Cape Cod" - USGS 

Revies geological history of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Link "Glacial Cape Cod" contains text and maps that explain the role of the Laurentide ice sheet in developing the Cape.
(http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/epubs/oldale_geolcc/intro.html)
• "Geology of the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve" - National Park Service 

Site discusses what North America was like during the last ice age, with a focus on the Bering Strait land bridge and the path plants and animals (including humans) may have taken from Asia to North America.  Includes color maps.
(http://www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/parks/bela/)
• "Coastal Landforms" - Geomorphology from Space - NASA 

This excerpt from an online book reviews features typical of coastal areas, including how changes in sea level can shape a coastline.
(http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/DAAC_DOCS/geomorphology/GEO_6/GEO_CHAPTER_6.HTML)
• "The Chesapeake Bay: Geologic Product of Rising Sea Level" - USGS Fact Sheet 102-98 

This fact sheet discusses the geological history of the Chesapeake Bay, which is essentially a river valley that was drowned when the Pleistocene ice sheets melted.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/factsheet/fs102-98/)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity, each student will need:
To learn more about "lost continents", visit the following web sites:
 

• "The Story of Atlantis" - The Active Mind 

Read the story behind the "lost city" of Atlantis.
(http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/Atlantis/story.html)
• "Atlantis Subplots: A Brief History of the Lost Continent" - Parascope 

(http://www.parascope.com/en/bermuda2.htm)

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Activity 5  --  How Glaciers Modify the Landscape

To learn more about this topic: 1.  How Glaciers Erode Bedrock and Move Sediment
 

• "Glacial Landforms and Features" - Rice University GLACIER page 

This site explains how glaciers modify the landscape through plucking, abrasion, "conveyor belt" erosion, and deposition.  Click on links at the bottom of the page to learn more about the specific depositional and erosional features left behind by glaciers.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_glaciallandforms.html)
• "Glacial Landforms" - Geomorphology from Space - NASA 

Click on link "Glaciers and Glacial Landforms" to learn about glaciers and the landscape features that they form.  Click on links to different plates to view satellite images and information about glaciers and glacial landforms around the world.
(http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/DAAC_DOCS/geomorphology/GEO_9/GEO_CHAPTER_9_TABLE.HTML)
• "Glacial Erosion - Processes" - University of Cincinnati - Dept of Geology 

Photo gallery of glacial erosional features from around the world.  Click on thumbnail to open image with a short description of each feature.
(http://tvl1.geo.uc.edu/ice/Image/eropro/eropro.html)
• "Subglacial Deposition - Images" - University of Cincinnati - Dept of Geology 

Photo gallery of depositional features left behind by glaciers from around the world.  Click on thumbnail to open image with a short description of each feature.
(http://tvl1.geo.uc.edu/ice/Image/subpro/Lect5img/Lect5img.html)

2.  Glacier Meltwater and Its Deposits
 
• "Depositional Proglacial Features" - Rice University GLACIER page 

Reviews depositional features that form at the front of the glacier.  Includes outwash deposits, which are left behind by meltwater.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_depositionalproglacial.html)
• "Glacial Landforms and Features" - Rice University GLACIER page 

This site explains how glaciers modify the landscape through plucking, abrasion, "conveyor belt" erosion, and deposition.  Click on links at the bottom of the page to learn more about the specific depositional and erosional features left behind by glaciers.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_glaciallandforms.html)
• "Formation of Glacial Features" - Ohio Department of Natural Resources 

Reviews deposits left behind after glaciers melted in Ohio.
(http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/publications/geo/I70/formation.html)
3.  How Glaciers Alter River Systems
 
• "Pleistocene Glaciers and Geography" - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay 

This site uses color maps to show the locations of glaciers in the United States during the last ice age.  Explains the impact glaciers had  on the development of the Missouri, Ohio, and Hudson river systems.  Includes a link to a series of 24 maps that illustrate the development of the Great Lakes.
(http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/202OVHDS/GLACgeog.HTM)

 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about glacial landforms, visit the following web sites:
• "Glacial Landforms and Features" - Rice University GLACIER page 

This site explains how glaciers modify the landscape through plucking, abrasion, "conveyor belt" erosion, and deposition.  Click on links at the bottom of the page to learn more about the specific depositional and erosional features left behind by glaciers.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_glaciallandforms.html)
• "Glacial Landforms" - Geomorphology from Space - NASA 

Click on link "Glaciers and Glacial Landforms" to learn about glaciers and the landscape features that they form.  Click on links to different plates to view satellite images and information about glaciers and glacial landforms around the world.
(http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/DAAC_DOCS/geomorphology/GEO_9/GEO_CHAPTER_9_TABLE.HTML)

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Activity 6  --  Catastrophic Floods from Glacial Lakes

To learn more about this topic:
1.  When Glacial Dams Fail
 
• "Glacial Lake Missoula and the Missoula Floods" - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory 

This site reviews the formation of Glacial Lake Missoula and the catastrophic floods that formed the Channeled Scablands.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Glaciers/IceSheets/description_lake_missoula.html)
• "Glacial Lake Missoula and the Missoula Floods" - University of Montana - School of Forestry 

This page reviews the proposal of the theory for the development of the Channeled Scablands and describes how the failure of the ice dam at Lake Missoula carved the landscape.  Click on the "Virtual Trip" link to examine the evidence used to piece together the geologic history of this area.
(http://www.forestry.umt.edu/ntsg/personnel/mattj/glm/The%20story%20of%20GLM.htm)
• "Glacial Lake Agassiz" - J.P. Bluemle - North Dakota Geological Survey 

This site reviews the geologic history of what may have once been the largest proglacial lake in North America, Glacial Lake Agassiz.  Looks at the role of the lake in the development of the Red River Valley.
(http://www.state.nd.us/ndgs/NDNotes/ndn5.htm)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about J. Harlan Bretz's theory and evidence behind it, visit the following web sites:

• "Glacial Lake Missoula and the Missoula Floods" - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory 

This site reviews the formation of Glacial Lake Missoula and the catastrophic floods that formed the Channeled Scablands.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Glaciers/IceSheets/description_lake_missoula.html)
• "Glacial Lake Missoula and the Missoula Floods" - University of Montana - School of Forestry 

This page reviews the proposal of the theory for the development of the Channeled Scablands and describes how the failure of the ice dam at Lake Missoula carved the landscape. 
(http://www.forestry.umt.edu/ntsg/personnel/mattj/glm/The%20story%20of%20GLM.htm)

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Activity 7  --  Non-glacial Ice on the Earth's Surface

To learn more about this topic: 1.  Permafrost
 

• "What is Permafrost?" - Geological Survey of Canada 

Site defines permafrost and uses data from real sites to explain what controls the distribution of permafrost. 
(http://sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/permafrost/whatis.htm)
• "Permafrost: Insights from a new Northern Hemisphere map" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Defines permafrost, reviews its distribution today, and explains how and why scientists are studying permafrost distribution and what they are learning.
(http://nsidc.org/NASA/SOTC/permafrost.html)
• "Permafrost" - Alyeska Pipeline 

Site defines each type of permafrost and looks at the effects of permafrost on the Alaskan pipeline.
(http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Pipelinefacts/Permafrost.html)

2.  Sea Ice
 

• "Ice of All Shapes and Sizes" - Rice University GLACIER page 

Site reviews the different types of ice masses, including icebergs and sea ice.  Includes color images and photographs.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_iceofallshapes.html)
• "OMB Sea Ice Analysis Page" - NOAA 

This page includes links to images that show current and past sea ice distribution around the world.  Also includes links for help in interpreting the images.
(http://polar.wwb.noaa.gov/seaice/Analyses.html)
• "Global Sea Ice Extent and Concentration: What sensors on satellites are telling us about sea ice" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Article reviews how scientists monitor global sea ice and what they are learning from their results.
(http://nsidc.org/NASA/SOTC/sea_ice.html)
3.  Icebergs
 
• "Antarctic Ice Shelves and Icebergs" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Click on links to read about icebergs in the news and view images of ice shelf evolution.
(http://nsidc.org/iceshelves/)
• "Ice of All Shapes and Sizes" - Rice University GLACIER page 

Site reviews the different types of ice masses, including icebergs and sea ice.  Includes color images and photographs.
(http://www.glacier.rice.edu/land/5_iceofallshapes.html)
• "Icebergs" - National Ice Center 

Click on links to find additional information and images of icebergs in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
(http://www.natice.noaa.gov/icebergs.htm)

  To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about permafrost and the biosphere, visit the following web sites:

• "Alaska Ecosystems" - National Marine Mammal Laboratory - NOAA 

(http://nmml01.afsc.noaa.gov/AlaskaEcosystems/akprog.htm)
• "Polar Ecosystems" - National Marine Mammal Laboratory - NOAA 

(http://nmml01.afsc.noaa.gov/PolarEcosyst/PolarEco.htm)

To learn more about technological design in permafrost, visit the following web sites:

• "Permafrost" - Alyeska Pipeline 

Site defines each type of permafrost and looks at the effects of permafrost on the Alaskan pipeline.
(http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Pipelinefacts/Permafrost.html)

To learn more about sea-ice monitoring, visit the following web sites:

• "OMB Sea Ice Analysis Page" - NOAA 

This page includes links to images that show current and past sea ice distribution around the world.  Also includes links for help in interpreting the images.
(http://polar.wwb.noaa.gov/seaice/Analyses.html)
• "Global Sea Ice Extent and Concentration: What sensors on satellites are telling us about sea ice" - National Snow and Ice Data Center 

Article reviews how scientists monitor global sea ice and what they are learning from their results.
(http://nsidc.org/NASA/SOTC/sea_ice.html)

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Resources: Web Sites:

• National Snow and Ice Data Center glacier page (http://nsidc.org/glaciers/) 
• National Snow and Ice Data Center State of the Cryosphere page (http://nsidc.org/NASA/SOTC/index.html) 
• National Ice Center home page (http://www.natice.noaa.gov/) 
• Rice University glacier page (http://www.glacier.rice.edu/) 
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) home page (http://www.nasa.gov/) 
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) home page (http://www.noaa.gov/) 
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) home page (http://www.usgs.gov/) 
• National Park Service home page (http://www.nps.gov/) 
• American Geophysical Union home page (http://www.agu.org/) 
• Geological Survey of Canada - Permafrost page (http://sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/permafrost/) 

Maps:

• Geologic maps: State and local: 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/) 
• Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html). 
• Download state geologic maps at About.com's site.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/) 
• Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm) 

 
• Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states): 
• The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555) 
• Topographic maps: Local 
• The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE) 
• The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers.  Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/) 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html) 
• TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000).  (http://www.topozone.com/) 
• MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com) 
• General Map Resources: 
• An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site.  Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm) 
• "Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them.  Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html) 
• National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html) 
• "Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html) 
• "Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps.  Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html) 
• "National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online.  (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?) 

Videos:

• 
  

Books:
  Magazines:

• Geotimes.  Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike.  Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students). 

(http://www.geotimes.org/current/)
• Excellent sources of high-school level articles are in both National Geographic (which often has maps), and Science News 

(describing the most recent and interesting events in scientific research.) 

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