A Glacier is a large mass of ice that moves slowly over the land, from its place of accumulation. It is also known as ‘River of ice’. The place of accumulation is called snowfield. The height above which there is a permanent snow cover in the higher altitude or latitude is called snowline. Higher the latitude, lower the snowline from sea level.

The gradual transformation of snow into granular ice is called ‘firn’ or ‘ neve’ and finally it becomes solid glacial ice. 

Movement of Glacier: The large mass of ice creates pressure at its bottom and generates heat. Due to this, the glacier melts a little and starts to move The rate of movement of a glacier varies from a few centimetres to several hundred meters a day. The movement of glaciers depends on slope, volume of the glacier, thickness, roughness at the bottom (friction) etc., and Temperature. Like the rivers, glaciers also carry out erosion, transportation and deposition.

Types of Glacier: Glaciers are broadly divided into two types based on the place of occurrence, such as Continental glacier and valley glacier.