Which zone indicates a location where snowfall exceeds evaporation and melting, leading to the formation of new glacier ice?

The zone of accumulation is the correct answer because it refers to the area within a glacier where more snow falls than what melts or evaporates during a given period. In this region, the snowfall contributes to the building up of glacial ice over time. The accumulation of snow compacts and transforms into glacier ice, leading to the growth of the glacier.

In contrast, the zone of ablation is where ice and snow are lost due to melting and evaporation. The equilibrium line marks the transition between the zone of accumulation and the zone of ablation, indicating where the annual accumulation of snow equals the annual loss through melting. A cirque is a bowl-shaped depression often found at the head of a glacier, typically related to erosion, not the accumulation of snowfall. Therefore, the zone of accumulation is specifically characterized by the excess of snowfall leading to glacier formation, making it the correct choice.