Continental Glacier

A continental glacier is a large, continuous mass of ice that covers vast land areas, often spanning entire continents or large portions of them. Unlike mountain glaciers, which are confined to valleys, continental glaciers spread out broadly, smoothing and shaping the landscape over time. They form from accumulated snowfall that compacts into ice, persisting and flowing slowly under their own weight. Examples include the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. These glaciers play a crucial role in Earth's climate system, acting as reservoirs of freshwater and influencing sea levels through their growth and melting cycles.