Our research examines how temporary contact between floating ice shelves and the seafloor affects ice flow and stability. Analyzing satellite data from 2014 to 2023, we found that tidal forces, ice thickness, and underwater terrain influence grounding events at Pine Island Ice Shelf. These events may have triggered rifts that led to the 2020 iceberg breakoff. Our study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring to better predict future changes in Antarctica’s vulnerable ice regions.