Public experience

Types of glacier

There are several types of glacier, based on their shape, where they are, or where they come from. The biggest types of glacier are called continental ice sheets and ice caps. They often totally cover mountains. Glaciers that flow down a valley are called valley glaciers. Outlet glaciers are valley glaciers that flow out from an ice cap or an ice sheet. When glaciers flow into flat, lowland areas, the ice spreads out to form piedmont glaciers. Glaciers that flow directly to the sea are called tidewater glaciers. The ends of these glaciers break off to form icebergs. This model shows some of the different types of glacier.