Sand is stronger than we once thought. One project from Princeton University scientist Michael Wolovick involves building massive piles of sand or similar materials dumped to the seafloor to build walls around glaciers, acting sort of like a scaffolding to prevent them from collapsing. Far beneath the surface of the ocean is warmer seawater. As the deposited sand moves closer to glaciers, it destabilizes their foundation, causing pieces to break off and melt into the ocean. Shoring up their foundation could keep glaciers supported in the icy upper layers of water, and theoretically prevent them from melting. It’s not a method suited for all glaciers, but it can help.