The Iceberg Tier List Meme Template

This template uses a digital composite image created by photographer Ralph Clevenger in the 1990s. While originally intended as a conceptual piece about hidden depth, it became a massive internet phenomenon in the late 2010s and early 2020s. It is the primary format for "Iceberg Explainer" videos and posts, where topics are arranged by how obscure or "deep" they are—starting with common knowledge at the top and descending into terrifying or forgotten lore at the bottom.

• The Tip (Above Water): A small, bright white peak visible under a sunny sky. This represents Surface Level Knowledge (things everyone knows).
• The Mid-Section (Just Below Water): The beginning of the massive underwater structure. This represents Common Fan Theories or slightly more obscure facts.
• The Abyss (The Bottom): The deepest, darkest part of the iceberg. This represents Lost Media, Disturbing Theories, or facts only the most hardcore fans know.
• The Contrast: The transition from bright blue to near-black symbolizes the shift from "safe" information to "unsettling" or "forbidden" knowledge.