Who / What
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is the segment of the continental ice sheet that covers West Antarctica, that part of Antarctica west of the Transantarctic Mountains in the Western Hemisphere.
It is classified as a marine‑based ice sheet, meaning its bed lies well below sea level and its margins flow into floating ice shelves.
Background & History
The WAIS rose to prominence as a distinct portion of Antarctica after cartographic work identified it as a separate entity based on its geographic and structural boundaries.
Its classification as a marine‑based ice sheet reflects its underlying topography and history of glacial flow into the sea.
Why Notable
Because the WAIS rests below sea level, it can be especially responsive to climate shifts that influence sea‑level rise.
Its edges feed into major ice shelves such as the Ross and Ronne Ice Shelves, shaping regional ice dynamics.
In the News
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