West Antarctic Ice Stream

The West Antarctic Ice Stream is a large, fast-flowing channel of ice that moves from the interior of West Antarctica toward the coast, feeding into the ocean. It acts like a conveyor belt, transporting ice from the ice sheet into the sea, where it melts or calves off as icebergs. Its stability is crucial because if it speeds up or melts significantly, it could contribute to global sea level rise. The ice stream is influenced by temperature changes, ocean currents, and ice dynamics, making it a key focus in understanding climate change impacts on sea levels.