What is glacial ice?

Glaciers are formed at the North and South Poles and in high mountains, such as the Himalayas. Glaciers are sometimes known as rivers of snow. The snow remains for more than a year and as more snow falls, the lower layers get compressed, forming ice. This ice is called glacial ice. Glacial ice can be more than 1,50,000 years old. About 70 per cent of the world’s fresh water is stored as glacial ice.