Data from submarine observations indicate a dramatic thinning of sea ice in certain regions of the world-a phenomenon scientists say must be taken into consideration in modelling the future impacts of climate change. These will involve collecting ground and airborne measurements below the satellite's flight path to verify data, and analyzing and interpreting the results. European Space Agency satellites and products, such as the scatterometer, which detects ground freeze and thaw, are also being considered for future study. Frozen ground and permafrost play a role in the carbon cycle and may release greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, when they melt. The initiative is also working to establish a Canadian Cryospheric Information Network to link databases and provide public outreach.
Studies show that the cryosphere is responding quickly to changes in the climate system.
In 1998, when temperatures were uncommonly high, some sea-ice plugs in the Arctic archipelago opened for the first time in decades, creating the most open water since 1962. Many glaciers showed significant melting the same year, including the Athabaska Glacier, where ice-measuring stakes had to be redrilled twice as often. The cryosphere is a highly variable, dynamic system with complex linkages to the climate system. Improving the use of space-based systems to monitor the cryosphere will help scientists better understand the role our frozen regions play in the global climate system, and provide more accurate information for studying the impacts of changes to this system on our environment and our economy.