The ice that many people associate with winter months and seasonal cooling is actually only one form that this versatile substance can take. As fixtures throughout the year in areas around the world, especially in the Arctic and Antarctic, glaciers and sea ice are vital to sustaining aquatic ecosystems and regulating ocean water temperature. Permafrost, a type of ground ice, dramatically affects the infrastructure and agricultural output of several communities around the world. The development of these varying formations and the interplay between them and the environment are thoughtfully considered in this fascinating volume.