Tidewater glaciers spreading into the sea are different than piedmont glaciers such as Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau.
Glacier Bay National Park (c) Linda Garrison
Tidewater Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Scientists have identified several different types of glaciers. Glaciers that end in the seas, such as many of those in Glacier Bay National Park, are tidewater glaciers. Those that are confined within valley walls are valley glaciers, while those that flow out of a valley and spread out are piedmont glaciers. Glaciers that just seem to drop out of the valley are hanging glaciers. All four types are found in Alaska.