Definition

A floating ICE SHEET of considerable thick­ness. Ice shelves are usually of great horizontal extent and have a level or gently undulating surface. They are nourished by local snow accumulation and often also by the seaward extension of land glaciers. Limited areas may be aground. The initial stage is called BAY ICE until the surface is more than about 2 m above SEA LEVEL. The seaward edge is termed an ICE FRONT.