Glacial rebound, also known as isostatic rebound, occurs when land previously compressed by heavy ice sheets begins to rise after the ice melts. As glaciers like those from the last Ice Age retreat, the immense weight they exert on the Earth's crust is removed, allowing the crust to slowly adjust and elevate over thousands of years. This process can lead to significant geological changes in affected areas, such as the Scandinavian Peninsula and parts of Canada. The uplift can create new landscapes, alter drainage patterns, and even affect sea levels as land rises relative to the ocean.