Polar ice consists of sea ice formed from the freezing of sea water, as well as ice sheets and glaciers formed from the accumulation and compaction of falling snow. Both types of ice extend over vast areas of the polar regions (Arctic Circle and Antarctica). Numerous Icebergs are formed in these areas, and are seen drifting all about the world's oceans.
Global sea-ice coverage averages approximately 25 million kmē. Ice sheets and glaciers cover approximately 15 million kmē, roughly 10% of the Earth’s land surface.
External links
Polar Ice (http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:igU9AmfwhxMJ:pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/earthsci/eos/polar_ice.pdf+polar+ice&hl=en) - from NASA
A polarice cap or polarice sheet is a high-latitude region of a planet or moon that is covered in ice.
Polarice caps do not have size, composition or geologic requirements of being over land, but they must be centered in the polar region.
Polarice caps form because high-latitude regions receive less energy in the form of solar radiation from the sun than equatorial regions, resulting in lower surface temperatures.
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