Largest Ice Shelf in Antarctica: The Ross Ice Shelf

The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica—and the world.

• Area: ~487,000 km² (188,000 sq mi) — roughly the size of France or California.
• Dimensions: ~800 km (500 mi) wide (north-south), ~970 km (600 mi) long (east-west).
• Thickness: 100–1,000 m (300–3,300 ft); thickest near grounding line.
• Volume: ~18,000 km³ of ice.
• Location: Ross Sea, fed by East & West Antarctic Ice Sheets via massive glaciers (Beardmore, Byrd, Mulock, etc.).
• Name: After Sir James Clark Ross (discovered 1841).

Significance

• Buttresses grounded ice; its collapse would accelerate sea-level rise.
• Major site for scientific research (ANDRILL, ROSETTA-Ice, etc.).
• Historical gateway for early explorers (Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen).

Other Large Shelves

• Filchner-Ronne (~430,000 km²)
• Amery (~62,000 km²)
• Larsen C (~44,000 km², after 2017 calving)

The Ross Ice Shelf is a keystone of Antarctic stability and a monumental natural feature.