Operational Unit
Glaciology, Cryosphere & Ice-Sheet Thermal Tracking Lab
Geological & Earth Sciences
Unit Mandate
Mission & Operational Scope
Monitors and investigates cryosphere dynamics — including glacier mass balance, ice sheet thermal structure, and permafrost thaw — to quantify their contributions to sea-level rise and freshwater availability under accelerating climate change.
Doctrine
IPCC Cryosphere Special Report Standards · WGMS World Glacier Monitoring Service Guidelines
Core Capabilities
Operational Capabilities
Glacier mass balance measurement via glaciological and geodetic methods
Ice sheet radar sounding and basal condition characterization
Permafrost temperature monitoring and active layer thickness measurement
Ice core drilling and paleoclimate record analysis
Cryosphere remote sensing using satellite altimetry and SAR
Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) hazard assessment
Division V
Geological & Earth Sciences