Ice cap

Alternative definitions (11), class: vernacular (0)
Term: Ice cap
Definition: A dome-shaped mass of glacier ice that spreads out in all directions; an ice cap is usually larger than an icefield but less than 50,000 square-kilometers (12 million acres).  NSIDCCryosphere 

A dome-shaped accumulation of glacier ice and perennial snow that completely covers a mountainous area or island, so that no peaks or Nunataks poke through.

A dome-shaped ice body with radial flow, largely obscuring the subsurface topography and generally defined as covering less than 50 000 km2 (see ice sheet). The flow pattern is less influenced by the subsurface topography than is true of icefields and valley glaciers. The definition embraces small as well as large ice bodies. The usage '(polar) ice cap' for the sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean or Southern Ocean is confusing and best avoided.  IHPGlacierMassBalance 

A dome-shaped ice mass that is considerably smaller in extent than an ice sheet.  IPCC2014 

Dome-shaped glacier or small ice sheet usually covering a highland area.  UKAntarcticTerms 

Dome-shaped glacier usually covering a highland area.  WMOHydrology 

A dome-shaped mass of glacier ice, usually situated in a highland area, and generally defined as covering up to 50,000 square kilometres (cf. ice sheet).  Swisseduc 

A dome-shaped perennial cover of ice and snow over an extensive portion of the earth's surface. Ice caps are considerably smaller than ice sheets, and it is felt improper to refer to the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets as ice caps. Most ice caps are most probably remnants of the Quaternary Ice Age. The term was first used for the supposedly perennial ice cover at both poles of the earth. However, since it has been found that the ice of arctic waters is largely seasonal, the use of this term to denote arctic polar ice is now considered improper.  AMSglossary 

Large dome-shaped glacier found covering a large expanse of land. Smaller than an ice sheet.  PhysicalGeography 

A dome-shaped glacier usually covering a highland area. Ice caps are considerably smaller in extent than ice sheets.  SPRI 

Dome shaped ice mass; Approximately radial ice flow; Upstanding ice mass over bedrock; Not to be interpreted as_ mountain ice cap; Dome shaped ice mass with radial flow; May incorporate Ice domes; Longitudinal profile is in almost all cases even/regular  GLIMSGlacier 

 GCW 
Created 2017.06.06
Last Modified 2022.04.08
Contributed by GCW Glossary
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