| Term: | Mountain glacier |
| Definition: |
A glacier that is confined by surrounding mountain terrain; also called an alpine glacier. NSIDCCryosphere
(1) A glacier that is confined by surrounding mountain terrain, also called an alpine glacier. (2) A glacier in mountainous terrain that is a cirque glacier, a niche glacier, a crater glacier, or a mountain apron glacier. See also valley glacier. Sense 2 is that in which the term is used in the World Glacier Inventory, but the more general sense 1 is also widely used. IHPGlacierMassBalance Glaciers adhering to mountain sides, and fitting in no other primary classification pattern; e.g. Cirque-, Niche-, Crater- Glaciers as well as Groups, Aprons and hanging glaciers and glaciated flanks; Cirque, niche or crater type, hanging glacier; includes ice apron and groups of small units (WGMS 1970); Any shape; sometimes similar to a valley glacier, but much smaller; frequently located in cirque or niche. (WGMS 1977); Cirque, niche or crater type, hanging glacier; includes ice apron and groups of small units (WGMS 1998); Must be distinguished from valley glaciers where no valley has yet developed (often difficult to estimate from above ground) GLIMSGlacier GCW |