What's a Polar Ice Cap?

A polar ice cap or polar cap is a high-latitude region of a planet, dwarf planet, or natural satellite that is covered in ice.

What are polar ice caps?

Polar ice caps form because high-latitude regions receive less energy in the form of solar radiation from the Sun than equatorial regions, resulting in lower surface temperatures. Earth's polar caps have changed dramatically over the last 12,000 years.

What is a polar ice cap for kids?

An ice cap is a thick layer of snow and ice covering less than 50,000 square kilometers. Ice caps form as snow falls, melts and falls again. Snow that melts slightly becomes harder and compressed. New snow falls on top and the snow underneath becomes even denser.