THE 



JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY 



APRIL- MAY, 1893. 



MALASPINA GLACIER, 



INTRODUCTION. 



A DEFINITE classification of glaciers does not seem to be 

 practicable, for the reason that various types which may be 

 selected grade one into another through many intermediate 

 forms. It is convenient, however, especially in teaching, to 

 recognize three generic types termed Alpine, Piedmont and 

 Continental glaciers ; and a subordinate class designated as 

 Tidewater glaciers, to include those which reach the ocean and 

 give origin to bergs. 



Alpine glaciers occur in many mountainous regions and have 

 their type in the Alps where they were first studied. Several 

 divisions dependent upon size have been recognized. 



Continental glaciers as their name implies are of vast 

 extent, and at the present time are illustrated by the ice sheets 

 of Greenland and the Antarctic continent. The Pleistocene ice 

 sheets of America and Europe were of this class. 



Piedmont glaciers are formed on comparatively level ground 

 at the bases of mountains where the ice is unconfined by high- 

 lands in most directions and has freedom to expand. The}' 

 are fed by glaciers of the Alpine type, which spread out 

 and unite one with another on leaving the valleys through which 

 they descend from snow fields at higher elevations. The only 

 known example of this class occurs in Alaska on the plain 

 intervening between the Mt. St, Elias range and the ocean, and 

 is the subject of this sketch. 

 Vol. I. — No. 3. 



