Calving:

Where ice breaks away from the surface of a glacier. Glaciers that end on steep slopes frequently lose mass via dry calving. This is where blocks of ice break lose from the terminus of a glacier and fall down to lower altitudes. Glaciers that terminate in a lake or ocean lose mass when blocks of ice break lose from the terminus and float away.

Reference:

  • Benn, D.I. and Evans, D.J.A., 1998, Glaciers and Glaciation, Arnold Publishers, p. 69
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