Final answer:
An ice cap is a large, domed glacier that can spread out over the land and is smaller than an ice sheet, while an alpine glacier, or mountain glacier, forms on mountain slopes and carves through valleys. Both types of glaciers sculpt the landscape in different ways and have contributed to the formation of features such as moraines and glacial lakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing an ice cap and an alpine glacier, what is the difference between these two types of glaciers? An ice cap is a large glacier that forms over a land mass but not to the extent of an ice sheet, which covers much larger areas like entire continents. Ice caps are domed and can spread out over the land beneath them. An alpine glacier, also known as a mountain glacier, forms on the slopes of mountains and moves down through valleys, eroded by the glacier as it moves.
Alpine glaciers are dynamic and change in response to temperature and precipitation. They typically form when winter snowfall exceeds summer melt, creating a mass of ice that begins to move under its own weight. Glacier National Park in the USA has such alpine glaciers, whereas ice caps can be found in places like Greenland, covering expansive stretches of land.
Differentiating between an ice cap and an alpine glacier is important when studying various landforms related to glacial erosion and the types of glacial lakes that can form. Alpine glaciers often create features such as moraines, which indicate past glacier presence and movement, while ice caps can erode and deposit sediment as they move.