An ice shelf is a thick floating platform of ice that forms where a glacier or ice sheet flows down to a coastline and meets the ocean. These structures are typically found in polar regions, such as Antarctica and Greenland, and can vary in size and thickness. Ice shelves play a crucial role in stabilizing the glaciers behind them, acting as a barrier that slows their flow into the sea. As the climate warms, ice shelves are increasingly vulnerable to melting and breaking apart. This process can lead to rising sea levels, as the glaciers they support may flow more rapidly into the ocean. The study of ice shelves is important for understanding the impacts of climate change on the polar regions and global sea levels.