Frozen ground studying in Boulder, Colorado

The National Snow & Ice Data Center, located in Boulder, Colorado, is a university institution dedicated to studying and researching various aspects of frozen ground, permafrost, glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves, sea ice, snow, and soil moisture. Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer below Earth's surface, while glaciers are massive masses of ice, snow, rock, and sediment that move under their own weight. Ice sheets, such as the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, contain the majority of Earth's land ice. Ice shelves play a crucial role in slowing the flow of ice into the ocean. Sea ice is frozen seawater that floats on polar oceans, reflecting solar energy and cooling the planet. Snow is composed of frozen water crystals and provides a slow release of fresh water into rivers. Soil moisture is essential for Earth's water, carbon, and energy cycles, influencing frozen ground and its extent. The National Snow & Ice Data Center conducts research to better understand and monitor these important components of Earth's climate system.