How are glaciers different from ice floes?

The primary difference between glaciers and ice floes lies in their origin and composition.

• Origin: Glaciers originate on land, whereas ice floes form in open water as a type of sea ice.
• Formation: Glaciers are created through the long-term accumulation and recrystallization of snow and other solid precipitation that compresses into ice over many years. In contrast, ice floes are composed of frozen seawater. They form as ice crystals—initially a suspension called frazil—collect and freeze together into sheets, which then thicken through a process known as congelation.
• Mobility: While glaciers are generally confined to landmasses or mountain paths (though some may extend into the ocean as ice shelves), ice floes are mobile and drift across the ocean's surface.

In summary, glaciers are terrestrial ice masses formed from atmospheric precipitation, while ice floes are marine ice masses formed directly from the freezing of the ocean itself.1