Second only to the ocean in the amount of water storage, the ice of the Earth makes up more than twice as much water as all other types of water storage, including ground water, lakes, streams, etc. It has been estimated that there is enough water locked up in the form of ice to sustain all the rivers and streams of the Earth for nearly 1,000 years.

This ice is found around both the North and South Poles, and is always fresh. This is because, regardless of whether it formed by freezing rain or sea water, the salt is not taken into the ice crystals as they form.

In addition to the vast ice caps found at the top and bottom of the Earth, there are also vast amounts of frozen water underground. This frozen soil is known as permafrost, and is found in Canada, Alaska and Siberia.