The cryosphere comprises all the frozen water and soil on the surface of the Earth. Mass Balance of the Cryosphere focuses on two key components of this environment: land ice (in the form of ice sheets, caps and glaciers) and sea ice. These components have been identified as important indicators of both short and long term climate change. Early chapters cover the theory behind field-based and satellite observations, and modelling of mass balance, providing a thorough grounding in all the concepts and issues presented later in the book. Later chapters review our current understanding of the present and predicted future mass balance of the cryosphere. This is an important reference for all scientists working in the fields of climate change, environmental sciences and glaciology. It is written by leading authors in the field, and is fully integrated to provide a coherent, cross-referenced and consistent exposition on the subject.

‘… handsomely produced and makes an original contribution. Good books have the potential to change how we think about science and how we conduct it. By this measure, Bamber and Payne's The Mass Balance of the Cryosphere is very good.‘

Source: Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union

‘… an excellent compilation.‘

Source: Royal Meteorological Society

‘I don't think it's too much to say this is a beautiful book. Stunningly presented, with a large number of full-colour images and high quality production … the book provides a vast wealth of information regarding the changing cryosphere …‘

Source: The Holocene

‘The book fills a major gap in glaciology and cryospheric science. It should be in the hands of all researchers and graduate students …‘

Source: Progress in Physical Geography

'The book provides an excellent and detailed reference for scientists interested in the current and likely future mass balance of land and sea ice. The chapters are well written, each chapter is accompanied by its own bibliography and figures are generally reproduced to a high standard.'

Source: Geological Magazine