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NSIDC
a part of CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder
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Welcome to the National Snow and Ice Data Center
================================================
[Explore Data](/data/explore-data)
[Our Research](/our-research)
Advancing knowledge of Earth's frozen regions since 1976
[Frozen ground Frozen ground](#Frozenground)
[Glaciers Glaciers](#Glaciers)
[Ice shelves Ice sheets](#Icesheets)
[Ice shelves](#Iceshelves)
[Sea ice Sea ice](#Seaice)
[Snow Snow](#Snow)
[Soil moisture Soil moisture](#Soilmoisture)
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Frozen ground
When the temperature of the ground drops below 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit), it becomes frozen ground. Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer below Earthâs surface. It consists of soil, gravel, and sand, usually bound together by ice.Â
[Explore Frozen Ground Data](/data/search#keywords=frozen+ground)
[Learn more about frozen ground](/learn/parts-cryosphere/frozen-ground-permafrost)
### Browse related data collections
[Aquarius](/data/aquarius)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[Soil Moisture Active Passive Data (SMAP)](/data/smap)
### Browse related research projects
[
QGreenland Project
](node/18164)
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Glaciers
Glaciers are huge masses of ice, snow, rock, sediment, and often liquid water that originate on land and move down slope under the influence of their own weight and gravity. The two main types are continental glaciers (or ice sheets) and alpine glaciers.Â
[Explore Glaciers Data](/data/search#keywords=glaciers)
[Learn more about glaciers](/learn/parts-cryosphere/glaciers)
### Browse related data collections
[GLIMS: Global Land Ice Measurements from Space](/data/glims)
[High Mountain Asia (HMA)](/data/highmountainasia)
[ICESat-2](/data/icesat-2)
[ICESat/GLAS](/data/icesat)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[Operation IceBridge](/data/icebridge)
### Browse related research projects
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International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration
](node/21545)
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Ice sheets
Ice sheets are masses of glacial land ice extending more than 50,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles). There are only two ice sheets worldwide today, the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. They contain more than 99 percent of the land ice on Earth.
[Explore Ice Sheets Data](/data/search#keywords=ice+sheets)
[Learn more about ice sheets](/learn/parts-cryosphere/ice-sheets)
### Browse related data collections
[GLIMS: Global Land Ice Measurements from Space](/data/glims)
[ICESat-2](/data/icesat-2)
[ICESat/GLAS](/data/icesat)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[Operation IceBridge](/data/icebridge)
### Browse related research projects
[
QGreenland Project
](node/18164)
[
Sea Ice Today and Ice Sheets Today
](node/18163)
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Ice shelves
An ice shelf is a large floating platform of ice that forms where a glacier or ice sheet flows down to a coastline and onto the ocean surface. Ice shelves play an important role in slowing the flow of ice from glaciers or ice sheets into the ocean. When ice shelves collapse, research has shown that glaciers accelerate, flowing into the ocean and adding to sea level rise.Â
[Explore Ice Shelves Data](/data/search#keywords=ice+shelves)
[Learn more about ice shelves](/learn/parts-cryosphere/ice-shelves)
### Browse related data collections
[GLIMS: Global Land Ice Measurements from Space](/data/glims)
[ICESat-2](/data/icesat-2)
[ICESat/GLAS](/data/icesat)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[Operation IceBridge](/data/icebridge)
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Sea ice
Sea ice is frozen seawater that floats on the surface of polar oceans and seas. It grows during each hemisphereâs winter; and it retreats in the summer, but does not completely disappear. The highly reflective white surface of sea ice reflects solar energy, cooling the planet. When it melts, the darker ocean absorbs more heat, reinforcing the cycle of melting sea ice.
[Explore Sea Ice Data](/data/search#keywords=sea+ice)
[Learn more about sea ice](/learn/parts-cryosphere/sea-ice)
### Browse related data collections
[AMSR Unified](/data/amsru)
[AMSR-E](/data/amsre)
[Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (AIDJEX)](/data/aidjex)
[Environmental Working Group Arctic Atlases (EWG)](/data/ewg)
[ICESat-2](/data/icesat-2)
[ICESat/GLAS](/data/icesat)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[MODIS](/data/modis)
[Nimbus Data Rescue Project](/data/nimbus)
[Operation IceBridge](/data/icebridge)
[SMMR and SSM/I-SSMIS](/data/smmr_ssmi)
[VIIRS](/data/viirs)
### Browse related research projects
[
Sea Ice Prediction Network (SIPN)
](node/36495)
[
Sea Ice Today and Ice Sheets Today
](node/18163)
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Snow
Snow is composed of frozen water crystals. It is not frozen rain, but a crystallization of ice that typically forms in clouds. Highly reflective, white snow bounces solar energy back into space instead of warming the planet. Mountain snowpacks also provide a slow release of fresh water into rivers and waterways.
[Explore Snow Data](/data/search#keywords=snow)
[Learn more about snow](/learn/parts-cryosphere/snow)
### Browse related data collections
[Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO)](/data/aso)
[AMSR Unified](/data/amsru)
[AMSR-E](/data/amsre)
[Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (AIDJEX)](/data/aidjex)
[Cold Land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX)](/data/clpx)
[Environmental Working Group Arctic Atlases (EWG)](/data/ewg)
[GLIMS: Global Land Ice Measurements from Space](/data/glims)
[High Mountain Asia (HMA)](/data/highmountainasia)
[MEaSUREs](/data/measures)
[MODIS](/data/modis)
[NASA SnowEx](/data/snowex)
[Operation IceBridge](/data/icebridge)
[SMMR and SSM/I-SSMIS](/data/smmr_ssmi)
[VIIRS](/data/viirs)
### Browse related research projects
[
Arctic Rain On Snow Study Project
](node/18161)
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Soil moisture
Soil moisture is the water content of soil and is key to Earth's terrestrial water, carbon, and water cycles. It also influences how and when the soil may freeze or thaw, a key component of understanding frozen ground and its extent.
[Explore Soil Moisture Data](/data/search#keywords=soil+moisture)
### Browse related data collections
[AMSR Unified](/data/amsru)
[AMSR-E](/data/amsre)
[Aquarius](/data/aquarius)
[Cold Land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX)](/data/clpx)
[SMMR and SSM/I-SSMIS](/data/smmr_ssmi)
[Soil Moisture Active Passive Data (SMAP)](/data/smap)
Stay current with our expert analyses
-------------------------------------
### [Sea Ice Today](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today)
Near-real-time data and monthly analysis on how Arctic and Antarctic sea ice is changing and what conditions may be playing a roleâformerly known as Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis (ASINA)
[Read more](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today)
### [Ice Sheets Today](https://nsidc.org/ice-sheets-today)
Near-real-time melt maps, graphs, and periodic analyses during the Greenland Ice Sheet melt season and periodic data images and analyses during the Antarctic Ice Sheet melt season
[Read more](https://nsidc.org/ice-sheets-today)
### [Snow Today](https://nsidc.org/snow-today)
Monthly analyses and daily data images of snow conditions in near-real time across the Western United States using a combination of satellite data and surface observations
[Read more](https://nsidc.org/snow-today)
Analysis - Sea Ice Today
March 6, 2025
[Antarctic sea ice minimum hits a near-record low, again](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today/analyses/antarctic-sea-ice-minimum-hits-near-record-low-again)
On March 1, Antarctic sea ice likely reached its minimum extent of 1.98 million square kilometers (764,000 square miles), tying for second lowest extent with 2022 and 2024 in the 47-year satellite record. This is the fourth consecutive year that Antarctic sea ice has reached a minimum below 2.0 million square kilometers (772,000 square miles).
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today/analyses/antarctic-sea-ice-minimum-hits-near-record-low-again)
Featured news & stories
-----------------------
Image
Feature Story
[The story is in the ice: Documenting climate change through the Extreme Ice Survey](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/story-ice-documenting-climate-change-through-extreme-ice-survey)
Image
Spotlight
[Staff spotlight: Julia Collins](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/staff-spotlight-julia-collins)
Image
News Release
[An Arctic âbeyond recognitionâ by 2100](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/arctic-beyond-recognition-2100)
Image
Spotlight
[Repurposing data from NASAâs Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/repurposing-data-nasas-soil-moisture-active-passive-smap-satellite)
Image
Spotlight
[Creeping debris in the Greater Caucasus](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/creeping-debris-greater-caucasus)
Image
Feature Story
[SMAP data helps dig up dirt on unexpected droughts](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/smap-data-helps-dig-dirt-unexpected-droughts)
Image
Feature Story
[The story is in the ice: Documenting climate change through the Extreme Ice Survey](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/story-ice-documenting-climate-change-through-extreme-ice-survey)
Image
Spotlight
[Staff spotlight: Julia Collins](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/staff-spotlight-julia-collins)
Image
News Release
[An Arctic âbeyond recognitionâ by 2100](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/arctic-beyond-recognition-2100)
Image
Spotlight
[Repurposing data from NASAâs Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/repurposing-data-nasas-soil-moisture-active-passive-smap-satellite)
Image
Spotlight
[Creeping debris in the Greater Caucasus](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/creeping-debris-greater-caucasus)
Image
Feature Story
[SMAP data helps dig up dirt on unexpected droughts](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/smap-data-helps-dig-dirt-unexpected-droughts)
Image
Feature Story
[The story is in the ice: Documenting climate change through the Extreme Ice Survey](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/story-ice-documenting-climate-change-through-extreme-ice-survey)
Image
Spotlight
[Staff spotlight: Julia Collins](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/staff-spotlight-julia-collins)
[SEE MORE](/news-analyses/news-stories "News & Stories")
Data, research & analysis updates
---------------------------------
March 13, 2025
### [Data set update: DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Daily Polar Gridded Brightness Temperatures, Version 6](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/data-set-update-dmsp-ssmi-ssmis-daily-polar-gridded-brightness-temperatures-version-6-9)
The DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Daily Polar Gridded Brightness Temperatures, Version 6 data set, accessible through the NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center (NSIDC DAAC), has
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/data-set-update-dmsp-ssmi-ssmis-daily-polar-gridded-brightness-temperatures-version-6-9)
March 13, 2025
### [User notice: SMAP Near Real-time data sets outage](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/user-notice-smap-near-real-time-data-sets-outage-6)
The Near Real-time SMAP L2 Radiometer Half-Orbit 36 km EASE-Grid Soil Moisture, Version 107 data set, accessible through the NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/user-notice-smap-near-real-time-data-sets-outage-6)
March 10, 2025
### [User Notice: VIIRS data sets - files corrected](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/user-notice-viirs-data-sets-files-corrected)
An issue was discovered with SNPP/JPSS1 VIIRS Collection 2 data beginning 2 March 2025 and lasting through 6 March 2025. These files have since been reprocessed and replaced with corrected files at
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/user-notice-viirs-data-sets-files-corrected)
March 7, 2025
### [Data sets retirement: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Version 1 (Collection 1)](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/data-sets-retirement-visible-infrared-imaging-radiometer-suite-viirs-version-1-collection-1)
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Version 1 (Collection 1) sets will be retired from the NSIDC DAAC on April 8, 2025. Upon retirement, data will no longer be accessible, but all
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/data-sets-retirement-visible-infrared-imaging-radiometer-suite-viirs-version-1-collection-1)
March 6, 2025
### [Antarctic sea ice minimum hits a near-record low, again](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today/analyses/antarctic-sea-ice-minimum-hits-near-record-low-again)
On March 1, Antarctic sea ice likely reached its minimum extent of 1.98 million square kilometers (764,000 square miles), tying for second lowest extent with 2022 and 2024 in the 47-year satellite record. This is the fourth consecutive year that Antarctic sea ice has reached a minimum below 2.0 million square kilometers (772,000 square miles).
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/sea-ice-today/analyses/antarctic-sea-ice-minimum-hits-near-record-low-again)
March 6, 2025
### [Antarctic sea ice hits another near-record low](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/antarctic-sea-ice-hits-another-near-record-low)
Antarctic sea ice has likely reached its minimum extent for the year, at 1.98 million square kilometers (764,000 million square miles) on March 1, 2025, according to scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at the University of Colorado Boulder. The 2025 minimum is effectively tied with 2022 and 2024 for second lowest in the 47-year satellite record. It is 190,000 square kilometers (73,000 square miles) above the record low, set in 2023. The last four minimums have been the lowest on record.
[Read More](https://nsidc.org/news-analyses/news-stories/antarctic-sea-ice-hits-another-near-record-low)
[SEE ALL DATA UPDATES & ALERTS](/data/user-resources/data-announcements "Data Announcements") Â Â Â Â [READ MORE ANALYSES & STORIES](/news-analyses/news-stories "News & Stories")
Data management programs at NSIDC
---------------------------------
### [NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center (NSIDC DAAC)](/data/data-programs/nsidc-daac)
Open access cryosphere and related geophysical data from NASA Earth-observing satellite missions, airborne campaigns, and field observations.
[Explore NASA data at NSIDC](/data/data-programs/nsidc-daac)
### [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at NSIDC](/data/data-programs/noaa-nsidc)
A NOAA-funded program providing open access data from satellites, field instruments, weather stations, historical records, and rescued data.
[Explore NOAA data at NSIDC](/data/data-programs/noaa-nsidc)
### [Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA): Data Curation for Indigenous Communities](/data/programs/eloka)
Working with Indigenous communities in the Arctic to preserve and promote their data and knowledge for use in scientific studies.
[Learn more about ELOKA](/data/programs/eloka)
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