Glacial formation occurs when snow accumulates over time in areas where the rate of snowfall exceeds melting. As layers of snow build up, the weight compresses the lower layers into dense ice. This process can take hundreds to thousands of years, depending on climate conditions and the amount of snowfall. Once formed, glaciers can move slowly due to gravity, flowing down valleys or spreading out over land. They can shape the landscape by eroding rock and soil, creating features such as U-shaped valleys and moraines. Glaciers are vital indicators of climate change, as their size and movement reflect shifts in temperature and precipitation.