Top 7 Largest Glaciers In The World

Glaciers, the colossal rivers of ice, are one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena on Earth. They are a testament to the planet’s climatic history and a crucial component of the world’s freshwater reserves. Glaciers store an incredible 69 percent of all the fresh water on the planet12, and there are around 200,000 unique glaciers to be found globally.

Glaciers, ice caps, and the Greenland/Antarctica Ice Sheet cover about 10 percent of the Earth’s surface. The world’s largest glaciers are in the Antarctic, Arctic, and Patagonia.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 largest glaciers in the world that play a pivotal role in the Earth's ecosystem.

7. Mercator Ice Piedmont (3,499 Sqkm)

Credit: Vincent van Zeijst

The Mercator Ice Piedmont is an expansive ice formation that graces the Antarctic mainland. It stretches over a vast area of 3,499 square kilometers(1,351 square miles), making it a significant feature of the Antarctic landscape.

This ice piedmont is the result of the merging of four glaciers: the Gibbs, Lammers, Cole, and Weyerhaeuser Glaciers. They converge in eastern Graham Land, Antarctica, forming this impressive ice formation.

The Ice Piedmont was named in honor of Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish mathematician, and geographer who introduced the map projection that carries his name in 1568.

6. Alexander Island Glacier No. 2 (3,980 Sqkm)

Alexander Island Glacier No. 2, located in the Antarctic Islands, is a massive glacier that covers an area of approximately 3,980 square kilometers(1,537 square miles). This makes it the fifth-largest glacier in the world.

The sheer size of this glacier is a testament to the extreme conditions in the Antarctic region and the powerful forces of nature at work. Despite it being considered an island, it is still directly connected to the mainland of Antarctica.

5. Malaspina-Seward Glacier (4,350 Sqkm)

Credit: NASA

The Malaspina-Seward Glacier is a marvel of nature. It is the largest Piedmont glacier in the world. This colossal ice formation is located in southeastern Alaska. The glacier spans an impressive area of approximately 4.350 square kilometers(1,680 square miles).

To put that into perspective, it’s about the same size as the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The Malaspina-Seward Glacier is actually a convergence of three glaciers: the Seward Glacier, the Agassiz Glacier, and the Marvine/Hayden Glacier.

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Despite its vast size, the Malaspina-Seward Glacier does not reach the water and therefore does not qualify as a tidewater glacier.

4. Alexander Island Glacier No. 1 (4,766 Sqkm)

Credit: NASA ICE

Alexander Island Glacier No. 1 is an impressive natural wonder located in the Antarctic Islands. Covering an area of approximately 4,766 square kilometers, it is much larger in size compared to the Alexander Island Glacier No. 2.

This vast expanse of ice and snow is a testament to the extreme conditions of the Antarctic region and the powerful forces of nature that have shaped our planet’s landscape. This glacier was named after the Great Russian Tsar who discovered it during their expedition in 1821.

3. Thurston Island Glacier No. 1 (5,261 Sqkm)

Credit: NASA/Jim Yungel

Thurston Island Glacier No. 1, located in the Antarctic and Subantarctic Islands glacial region, is a truly colossal formation of ice. It holds the rank of the third-largest glacier in the world, covering an expansive area of 5,261 square kilometers(2,031 square miles).

This massive glacier is part of Thurston Island, which was discovered in 1940 near the Antarctic Peninsula. This huge glacier was named after W. Harris Thurston who was a textile manufacturer based off of New York who discovered it during his expedition.

2. Seller Glacier (7,018 Sqkm)

Credit: Jason Auch

Seller Glacier is a huge natural formation located in the Antarctic and Subantarctic Islands glacial region. With an impressive size area of 7,018 square kilometers(2,709 square miles), this makes it the second largest glacier in the world.

The glacier flows westward into the Forster Ice Piedmont, which is situated in the western Antarctic Peninsula, just north of Flinders Peak. Its vast size and unique location contribute to its significance in the study of glaciology and climate change.

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This unique glacier was named after John Seller, an English hydrographer and compass maker that lived in the 17th century.

1. Vatnajökull Glacier (7,900 Sqkm)

Vatnajökull Glacier, also known as the “Glacier of Lakes”, is a magnificent ice formation located in Iceland. It is not only the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland, but it also holds the title of the world's largest glacier.

Covering an expansive area of 7,900 square kilometers, Vatnajökull Glacier accounts for approximately 8% of Iceland’s total land area. The glacier is home to more than 25 named outlet glaciers and 7 subglacial volcanoes, adding to its geographical significance.

Its highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur, which is part of the Öræfajökull, stands tall at 2,109.6 meters or 6,921 feet 3 inches.

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