The cryosphere ( from the Greek `` kryos '' , `` cold '' , `` frost '' or `` ice '' and `` sphaira '' , `` globe , ball '' ) is those portions of Earth 's surface where water is in solid form , including sea ice , lake ice , river ice , snow cover , glaciers , ice caps , ice sheets , and frozen ground ( which includes permafrost ) .
The cryosphere is the part of the Earth 's surface where water is in solid form , including sea ice , lake ice , river ice , snow cover , glaciers , ice caps and ice sheets , and frozen ground ( which includes permafrost ) .