Meltwater refers to water that originates from the melting of ice or snow. This can occur in glaciers, ice sheets, or even snowpacks. Meltwater plays an important role in the Earth's hydrological cycle and can impact a variety of natural processes such as sea level rise, glacier dynamics, and freshwater availability. Researchers study meltwater to better understand the effects of climate change on these systems and to predict future changes in the Earth's water cycle.