Dynamics of ice melting by an immiscible liquid layer heated from above

•Melting of an ice wall adjacent to an immiscible liquid heated from above was studied.•Two melting regimes across the depth of the ice exist that depend on heat flux levels.•Flow visualization revealed two flows, one-roll and multi-roll flow patterns.•Multi-roll flow near the free surface prevented heat exchange to the depth of liquid.•Multi-roll flow pattern melts the ice near the liquid surface and expands surface of the liquid.