Shelf ice

Shelf ice is like a big, flat, floating piece of ice that sits on the edge of the land and the ocean or a lake. It's formed when snow falls and turns into ice, then starts to move towards the water. When it reaches the water, it floats along the edge of the land and the water. It’s so big that it can sometimes be bigger than a whole city!

Shelf ice is like a frozen fence between the land and the water. It keeps the water from eating away the land, but it also keeps animals like polar bears and seals from moving around easily. If the shelf ice gets too thin or weak, it can even break off and create a big wave called a "tsunami" which can be very dangerous for people and animals!