There are two general types of glaciers – alpine glaciers and ice sheets. Alpine glaciers Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Glacier in the Bernese Alps. Sea ice is often mistaken as glacial ice, as for example, the relatively persistent ice that covers the North Pole region. what are the two main types of glaciers. Mountain glacier: Glaciers formed in the high mountainous regions, and flow out of the icefield. References; Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Glacier in the Bernese Alps. TYPES OF GLACIERS There are two main types of glaciers — alpine or valley glaciers, and ice sheets or continental glaciers. The downhill movement of the glacier causes chopping and remolding of the landscape, which explains the gorgeous landscaping sceneries on mountains. The two types of glaciers include continental and alpine glaciers. Glaciers occur in all parts of the world and at almost all latitudes. Continental glaciers are known as ice sheets. Ice sheets are glaciers that cover large regions and consist of masses of ice that flow out in all directions from one or more snow-accumulation centers. Glaciers are mainly classified according to their formation. The second is alpine or valley which are the glaciers that flow down the valley from the mountain. Types of Glaciers. Glacier movement occurs in two ways; either retreating or advancing. They are found in Alaska, Arctic, Canada, Andes, and Himalaya. There are 2 main types of glaciers, Continental is one, they float away from central regions. Glacier ice today stores about three-fourths of all the fresh water in the world. Continental glaciers are large ice sheets that cover relatively flat ground. valley glaciers or continental glaciers (ice sheets) types of glaciers. However, this ice does not form on land and is fairly thin. These glaciers flow outward from where the greatest amount of snow and ice accumulate. The two main types are the Alpine and the Continental glacier, but there are other types too. Glacier ice covers about 11 percent of the world’s land area and would cause a world sea-level rise of about 90 metres (300 feet) if all existing ice melted. The two types of glaciers are: continental and alpine. Valley, or alpine, glaciers are relatively small glaciers that follow former stream valleys in mountainous regions. Alpine or valley glaciers flow downhill through mountains along existing valleys. Alpine glaciers form in mountainous areas either at high elevations or near cool and wet coastal areas like the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. A glacier (US: / ˈ ɡ l eɪ ʃ ər / or UK: / ˈ ɡ l æ s i ər, ˈ ɡ l eɪ s i ər /) is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. Alpine glaciers form in mountainous areas either at high elevations or near cool and wet coastal areas like the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. 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