Glaciers are formed over a long period of time, when snow falls, settles and compacts into ice. Over the space of several hundred years, enormous glaciers can form, creating some breath-taking scenery. These are ten of the most stunning glaciers you’ll ever come across; sadly, much of the Earth’s ice is melting, so visit these while you can!
10 – Yulong Glacier, China
Yulong
‘Yulong Glacier, Yunnan’ by Chris
This glacier sits atop Yulong Mountain in China. This peak is also known by the rather poetic title of ‘Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’. Sadly it is too remote to visit easily; any trekkers will need to take an extra oxygen supply at the very least!
09 – Furtwängler Glacier, Tanzania
Furtwangler
By Yosemite. (Photo by Yosemite.) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
An immense ice cap used to completely cover the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, the vast majority has already melted, but this glacier remains. It’s been predicted that it will disappear completely within the next few decades, so make the most of its beauty before it’s too late!
08 – Pasterze Glacier, Austria
Pasterze
‘Pasterze Glacier, Grossglockner Mountain, Austria’ by traveljunction
In English, the name of this glacier means ‘shepherdess’. At the moment it measures 8.4km (5 miles) long, but it is estimated that it loses 10m (33 feet) every year.
07 – Glacier Bay, Alaska
Glacier Bay
‘Glacier Bay’ by Ze Moufette
No less than 15 glaciers can be found in Glacier Bay, which is an Alaskan National Park. The easiest, most popular and most enjoyable way to visit this magnificent region is on a cruise ship.
06 – Biafo Glacier, Pakistan
Biafo
‘The Biafo Glacier, Gilgit, Pakistan’ by Black Zero
At 67km (42 miles) long, the Biafo Glacier is part of the longest glacial region in the world outside of the polar regions. It offers some awe-inspiring views for those who are brave enough to make the trek through it!
05 – Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland
Vatnajokull Glacier
By Andreas Tille (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
When a country has the word ‘ice’ in its name, it’s not surprising that it is home to one of the largest glaciers in Europe! This glacier has an area of 8,100km², meaning that it takes up almost 10% of the island.
04 – Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Norway
Jostedalsbreen
‘The ice factory 01’ by Bosc d’Anjou
This amazing glacier is actually the largest glacier in the European mainland, which makes it truly incredible to visit. Situated in Norway, it is 60km (37 miles) in length.
03 – Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, New Zealand
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
This is a pair of glaciers which can be found on the South island of New Zealand. The Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site surrounds these glaciers, which measure 13km (8 miles) long and 12km (7.5 miles) long respectively.
02 – Lambert Glacier, Antarctica
Lambert Glacier
‘Unknown
Antarctica is one of the Earth’s icy poles, and this is one of its main glaciers. In fact, it is currently the world’s largest glacier according to Guinness World Records, as it measures 400km (250 miles) long, 100km (60 miles) wide and roughly 2.5km (1 mile) deep.
01 – Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Perito Moreno
‘Perito Moreno’ by Matthew Hoelscher
Situated in the Los Glaciares National Park, this spectacular glacier measures 30km (19 miles) long. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area, as well as being the third largest fresh water supply in the world.