Ontario is gradually rising due to the lasting effects of ancient ice sheets that once covered the region. As massive glaciers melted tens of thousands of years ago, the weight they exerted on the Earth’s crust was removed, allowing the land to slowly rebound upward. This process, known as glacial isostatic adjustment, continues today at a rate of approximately one centimeter per year in certain areas. The movement is driven by the slow flow of material in the Earth's mantle beneath the crust, which responds over time to changes in surface load.
This ongoing uplift has measurable impacts across Ontario, particularly on the Great Lakes. As the land rises, water levels shift, and new landforms such as islands emerge. Coastal regions are also being reshaped, altering shorelines and affecting existing infrastructure. The video uses interactive simulations to illustrate these gradual yet powerful geological changes, offering insight into how the legacy of the last ice age still influences the landscape.