The 4000 sq km iceberg was “anchored” to the bottom of the oceans surrounding Antarctica for 40 years after breaking away from the continent’s coasts. It is now moving once more.
The largest iceberg in the world, which was formerly a part of Antarctica, is drifting away from the continent and has drawn attention from scientists worldwide. In 1986, the iceberg known as A23a broke away from the Antarctic coast, but it eventually grounded and turned into a kind of “ice island.” However, its current course could soon take it outside of Antarctic waters.
The area of A23a is close to 4,000 sq km. It is now larger than twice as large as Greater London. There was a Soviet research outpost there in 1986 when it broke away from Antarctica. Thinking they were going to lose the base and all of the equipment, the Soviets promptly dispatched an expedition to the iceberg.
However, A23a became ‘grounded’ in the Weddell Sea after separating from Antarctica. But it’s moving again after being stationary for forty years.
Dr. Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing specialist with the British Antarctic Survey, said, “I asked a couple of colleagues about this, wondering if there was any possible change in shelf water temperatures that might have provoked it, but the consensus is the time had just come.”
“Even though it had been grounded since 1986, at some point its size would drop to the point where it would lose support and begin to move. In 2020, I noticed the first movement.”
The BBC cited Fleming.
The winds and currents in recent months have accelerated the journey of A23a. It is expected to be thrown toward the southern Atlantic Ocean, close to the island of South Georgia. Millions of seals, penguins, and other birds call the island home. There is concern that if A23a were to travel close to South Georgia Island, it may disrupt the natural habitat and perhaps threaten the food source of local wildlife and birds. However, they are currently just conjectures.
According to experts cited by the BBC, the iceberg’s separation and migration away from Antarctica might not be directly related to climate change.