Other forms of accumulation

Avalanche adding mass to a glacier in Alaska

For many glaciers, snowfall will effectively be 100% of the mass gained. Other glaciers may gain some additional mass from:

• Rockfall
• Avalanches
• Rain freezing onto the surface (if the ice surface is cold enough)

For some glaciers, these components can be significant e.g. a mountain glacier surrounded by steep valley sides in the Himalayas, Alps or Alaska may gain regular mass inputs from avalanches.