As of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, glacial ice covers approximately 10% of the Earth’s land surface. This includes areas covered by permanent ice and snow, such as glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets, which are found in polar and high-altitude regions.
The two largest ice sheets on Earth are the Antarctic ice sheet, which covers the continent of Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Greenland ice sheet, which covers most of Greenland in the Northern Hemisphere. These two ice sheets account for the majority of the world’s glacial ice. Other areas with significant glacial ice cover include the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and northern Europe, as well as high mountain ranges in regions such as the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps.
It’s important to note that glacial ice is a dynamic component of the Earth’s system, and its extent and volume can change over time due to various factors, including climate change, precipitation patterns, and glacier dynamics. Monitoring changes in glacial ice cover and understanding their implications for climate, hydrology, and other Earth systems is an important field of research in glaciology, climatology, and related disciplines.
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