An ice cap is a large area of thick ice that covers less than 50,000 square kilometers of land. These formations are typically found in polar regions, such as Antarctica and Greenland, and are characterized by their dome-like shape. Ice caps form from accumulated snowfall that compresses into ice over many years. Ice caps play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system by reflecting sunlight and regulating temperatures. They also serve as important freshwater reservoirs. As global temperatures rise, many ice caps are melting, contributing to rising sea levels and impacting ecosystems and human communities worldwide.