OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of this topical conference are:

• To assess recent progress in the full range of cryosphere relevant EO-based observations and techniques;
• To review the major scientific advances in cryosphere science with special attention to the understanding of cryosphere-atmosphere-ocean interactions and impacts in climate change;
• To discuss the challenges and opportunities in cryosphere science offered by the new generation of EO satellites as well as the major observational gaps for the coming decades;
• To consolidate a scientific roadmap outlining the main priorities and challenges for the cryosphere community in terms of novel observations, enhanced EO-based products and techniques and innovative scientific results.

Contributions are sought for presentations on the state-of-the-art research and developments in the use of EO for cryosphere science. Invited keynotes will give overviews of problems, progress and prospects in key areas. PowerPoint presentations (with a short introduction) will be the main form of presentation. Plenty of time will be reserved for discussions.

Preliminary list of relevant topics:

•  Reducing uncertainties in mass balance estimates;
• Ice sheet dynamics;
• Ice shelf-ocean interactions;
• Snow, snow albedo and snow water equivalent;
• Hydrology in high latitudes and extreme events;
• Polar ocean, dynamic topography, and circulation;
• Sea ice, thickness and dynamics;
• Permafrost and seasonally frozen ground;
• Glaciers and Ice caps;
• Ice-ocean-atmosphere interactions;
• Role of Cryosphere in climate;
• Cryosphere and ocean dynamics (e.g., thermohaline circulation);
• Cryosphere interactions with the carbon cycle;
• Role of the Cryosphere in the water cycle;
• Lake and river ice;