What happens to the cryosphere when the atmosphere warms?

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Multiple Choice

What happens to the cryosphere when the atmosphere warms?

Explanation:
When the atmosphere warms, heat energy flows into the cryosphere, raising temperatures of ice and snow. Ice has a melting point, so as warming continues, solid water changes to liquid, causing melting across glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. This loss of ice reduces the extent and volume of the cryosphere. The process is sped up by albedo feedback: less ice means the surface absorbs more solar energy, accelerating further melting. So the effect is melting, not expansion, thickening, or remaining unchanged.

When the atmosphere warms, heat energy flows into the cryosphere, raising temperatures of ice and snow. Ice has a melting point, so as warming continues, solid water changes to liquid, causing melting across glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. This loss of ice reduces the extent and volume of the cryosphere. The process is sped up by albedo feedback: less ice means the surface absorbs more solar energy, accelerating further melting. So the effect is melting, not expansion, thickening, or remaining unchanged.

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