| Term: | Ice island |
| Definition: | Sea ice terminology. Describes a large piece of floating ice protruding about 5 metres above sea level, which has broken away from an Arctic ice shelf. Ice islands have a thickness of 30 m to 50 m, and an area of a few thousand square metres up to 500 sq. Km or more. They are usually characterized by a regularly rolling surface giving a ribbed appearance from the air. |