Scientists predict that the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, will likely break apart within the next month after it was freed from a whirlpool it had been trapped in since January 2024. The iceberg, which broke off from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in August 1986, had been stationary for nearly 34 years before being pushed by ocean currents in 2020 toward the western Weddell Sea.
In late 2024, A23a became caught in a whirlpool, spinning in place until mid-December, before it was released and began drifting toward Antarctica. Experts suggest that strong winds and currents may have played a role in its escape. Now, it is moving northeast along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current toward South Georgia.
As it continues to move north, A23a will face rising temperatures, accelerating its melting. Scientists speculate that the iceberg could break up near South Georgia, possibly even reaching waters closer to South Africa if it rides a fast ocean current.
While A23a could provide benefits to the ecosystem by bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface, stimulating phytoplankton growth, it could also disrupt local wildlife. Penguins and seals, for example, may struggle to access feeding grounds if the iceberg blocks their path. Previous icebergs have even caused the death of marine life, including many young animals.
The process of iceberg calving is natural, but the frequency of these events has increased in recent years, mainly due to rising ocean temperatures—a change largely attributed to human-driven climate change. This shift has caused the collapse of several Antarctic ice shelves, which has further contributed to the increasing number of icebergs in the region.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE