The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has seemingly run aground near South Georgia, a remote British island teeming with millions of penguins and seals. The iceberg, roughly the size of Rhode Island and weighing nearly a trillion tonnes, had been drifting toward the island for months, prompting concerns over its potential impact on local wildlife.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) confirmed Tuesday that A23a has struck the continental shelf surrounding South Georgia, coming to a halt approximately 73 kilometers from the island. Whether it remains stationary or resumes movement remains uncertain.
South Georgia, a British overseas territory located north of Antarctica and 1,850 kilometers east of South America, supports a diverse ecosystem, including five million seals and 65 million birds. Researchers fear the iceberg could disrupt wildlife feeding routes, forcing animals to travel further for food. However, scientists also note that melting icebergs release essential micronutrients, potentially boosting ocean productivity and benefiting local predators like seals and penguins.
A23a has had a turbulent journey since breaking off from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986. It remained grounded in the Weddell Sea for over three decades before drifting free in 2020, only to be temporarily trapped in an oceanic vortex. Its latest grounding near South Georgia raises questions about its long-term impact on the environment.
Authorities in South Georgia have been closely monitoring the iceberg, with concerns over potential disruptions to shipping and fishing. Satellite imagery captured in late February showed A23a approaching the continental shelf, and by March 1, it appeared to have come to a standstill.
Canadian Coast Guard ice specialist Donavan Tremblay suggested that storms could eventually dislodge the iceberg, though it may also remain grounded for an extended period. Similar events have occurred before, notably in 2020 when the massive A68a iceberg broke apart near South Georgia, releasing 152 gigatonnes of freshwater and altering ocean salinity.
Scientists are now investigating A23a’s potential ecological impact, from stimulating phytoplankton blooms to affecting carbon dioxide absorption. Researchers are also studying the geological effects beneath the iceberg, where massive scars on the seabed and underwater landslides may have occurred.
While icebergs routinely calve from Antarctica, studies indicate that Antarctic ice shelves have been losing more mass over the past 20 years due to climate change, making these events an urgent focus of scientific research.
Source: Swifteradio.com
