| Term: | Cryotic ground |
| Definition: | Soil or rock at temperatures of 0C or lower. The terms 'cryotic' and 'non-cryotic' were introduced to solve a major semantic problem identified by Brown and Kupsch (1974), namely the lack of specific separate terms to designate 'above 0C' and 'below 0C' as opposed to 'unfrozen' (not containing Ice) and 'frozen' (containing Ice). Cryotic and noncryotic refer solely to the temperature of the material described, independent of its water or Ice Content. Perennially Cryotic Ground refers to ground that remains at or below 0C continuously for two or more years and is therefore synonymous with Permafrost. |