What term describes ice that floats freely and is not anchored to land?

• A. Fast ice
• B. Drift ice
• C. Pack ice
• D. Rink ice

Answer: (B)

Ice that floats freely and isn’t anchored to land is drift ice. The key idea is mobility: these floes are free to move with ocean currents and winds, rather than being tied to a coastline or fixed anchor. This makes drift ice dynamic and potentially hazardous, since its position can change rapidly and unpredictably, which is crucial to plan around in rescue operations.

For contrast, fast ice is ice that remains fixed to the shore or seabed and doesn’t drift with the sea. Rink ice is man-made ice used on skating rinks, not natural sea ice. Pack ice refers to a broad expanse of sea ice, which can cover large areas and may drift as a whole, but the term that specifically emphasizes individual ice floes moving freely is drift ice.