The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, which is approximately three times the size of New York City, has started moving for the first time in more than 30 years. The colossal iceberg, with an area of almost 4,000 square km (1,500 square miles), broke off from West Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986. After becoming lodged on the seabed of the Weddell Sea, it remained relatively stationary until recent satellite images showed it rapidly advancing past the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The movement of such a massive iceberg is an unusual occurrence, prompting scientists to closely monitor its path. It is expected to be propelled into the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, guiding it along a route known as “iceberg alley” in the Southern Ocean. The reasons behind the sudden movement remain unclear, but glaciologist Oliver Marsh suggests that slight thinning and additional buoyancy may have allowed it to lift off the ocean floor and be pushed by ocean currents.
A23a is among the world’s oldest icebergs, and there is a possibility it could once again become lodged, potentially impacting South Georgia island’s wildlife. The island serves as a breeding ground for millions of seals, penguins, and seabirds, and the iceberg could obstruct their access to crucial foraging areas.
Similar concerns arose in 2020 with another giant iceberg, A68, which was averted when it broke up into smaller pieces. However, A23a’s massive scale raises the potential for a longer presence in the Southern Ocean, posing disruption to shipping routes as it moves north toward South Africa.
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