Snow and Ice

Siachen Glacier
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Siachen Glacier

An astronaut’s photograph reveals the myriad features of a remote glacier high in the Karakoram mountains of central Asia.

Published Mar 17, 2024

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Antarctic Sea Ice at Near-Historic Lows
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Antarctic Sea Ice at Near-Historic Lows

Sea ice coverage reached its seasonal minimum in February 2024, tying with 2022 for the second-lowest extent in the satellite record.

Published Mar 15, 2024

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Taking a Bite Out of Pi
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Taking a Bite Out of Pi

A cycle of rapid advance and retreat at Sortebræ, a glacier in eastern Greenland, built pi-shaped tongues of ice before they later retreated.

Published Mar 14, 2024

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Snow Cover
Global Maps

Snow Cover

Snow and ice influence climate by reflecting sunlight back into space. When it melts, snow is a source of water for drinking and vegetation; too much snowmelt can lead to floods. These maps show average snow cover by month.

Mar 2000 — Feb 2024

Snow and Ice

A Climate Archive Melts
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A Climate Archive Melts

The surface melting of a high-elevation glacier in the Alps has rendered it unusable for scientific research.

Published Feb 29, 2024

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