Antarctic ice melt is a significant aspect of climate change that contributes to sea level rise and impacts regional and global climate patterns. The Antarctic Ice Sheet and ice shelves (floating on the ocean) are losing mass through a combination of ocean and atmospheric warming. When relatively warm ocean currents move under ice shelves, the ice melts from below. At the same time, warming air temperatures can increase surface melt, which can cause cracks to form and accelerate collapse. Simula

Basics of Climate Change | US EPA