Ayles Ice Shelf

Ayles Ice Shelf is a floating body of ice attached to the north coast of Ellesmere Island in Canada's Arctic. The formation consists of compressed snow and ice that has accumulated over millennia, creating a solid platform extending from the island into the surrounding ocean.

Ayles Ice Shelf remained attached to Ellesmere Island for thousands of years until August 2005, when it broke away entirely from the coast. This separation marked a significant moment in Arctic climate change, as the massive ice formation drifted into open water.

Scientists from Canadian universities monitor the Ayles Ice Shelf through satellite imagery to understand Arctic environmental changes and their effects on local communities.

The site can only be reached by specialized Arctic vessels during warmer months when sea routes are navigable and ice conditions permit safe passage. Expeditions are best planned for the brief summer season when water routes are most accessible.

The ice contains trapped air bubbles and particles from 4500 years of accumulation, acting as a frozen archive of Arctic atmosphere from ancient times. These preserved layers allow scientists to study what the air was like long before modern records began.