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Cryosphere
Kryosphäre
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:45
Abstract
The course introduces the different components of the cryosphere - snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, and permafrost - and their respective roles in the climate system. For each subsystem, essential physical aspects are emphasized, and their dynamics are described quantitatively and using examples.
Objective
Students are able to - qualitatively explain relevant processes, feedbacks and relationships between the different components of the cryosphere, - quantify and interpret physical processes, which determine the state of the cryospheric components, with simple calculations.
Content
The course provides an introduction into the various components of the cryosphere: snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, permafrost, and their roles in the climate system. Essential physical aspects are emphasized for each subsystem: e.g. the material properties of ice, mass balance and dynamics of glaciers, or the energy balance of sea ice.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts will be distributed during the teaching semester
Literature
Benn, D., & Evans, D. J. (2014). Glaciers and glaciation. Routledge. Cuffey, K. M., & Paterson, W. S. B. (2010). The physics of glaciers. Academic Press. Hooke, R. L. (2019). Principles of glacier mechanics. Cambridge University Press. Further literature will be indicated during the lecture.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- None
- Digital
- The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Kryosphäre |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Major: Geology and Geophysics (Advisors of the major in Geology and Geophysics are Dr. Vincenzo Picotti (Geology) and Dr. Jérôme Noir (Geophysics).)
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Electives (The electives listed are recommended. Additional courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich.)
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Major: Climate and Water (Advisor of the BSc-major "Climate and Water" is Dr. Hanna Joos, Institute for climate and atmosphere (IAC).)
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Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
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