Ice Stream

An ice stream is a fast-flowing channel of ice within a much larger ice sheet or ice cap. Think of it as a conveyor belt that moves ice more quickly from the interior of a glacier toward the edge where it may break off into the ocean. These streams help ice from the central parts of the ice sheet reach the sea, influencing sea levels when they speed up or slow down. They are important for understanding how ice sheets respond to climate change and can significantly affect global sea level rise.