The cryosphere comprises elements of the climate system that have response times of days to millennia. Despite this, all components, even the largest and most sluggish, are showing signs of dramatic changes due to climatic forcing. This session aims to present the latest results of changes in the cryosphere from satellite, and terrestrial observations and modelling studies investigating the origin and explanation for these changes. We also welcome submissions that elucidate the possible future response of the cryosphere to climate change over the next few tens to hundreds of years.

Invited speakers:
Rianne Giesen: Global glacier volume projections for the 21st century including the dynamical response to changes in climate

Ingo Sasgen: On regional ice sheet mass balance from GRACE, the mass budget method, and ICESat

John Wahr: Recent contributions of all ice-covered regions, including mountain glaciers and ice caps, to sea level rise, as inferred from GRACE