The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has been stranded near Antarctica since 2020, previously drifting through the southern ocean. Spanning 3,672 square kilometers (1,418 square miles) and weighing nearly 1 trillion metric tonnes, it originated from the Filchner Ice Shelf and was observed drifting since 2020. While concerns were raised about its potential impact on local wildlife, it is currently grounded about 90 kilometers from South Georgia, which may actually benefit the ecosystem by stirring nutrients and increasing food availability. However, as larger icebergs tend to break apart and melt, the small fragments they create can pose risks to fisheries and transportation due to their difficulty in detection. Scientists attribute the iceberg’s existence to natural cycles, though they acknowledge that climate change is causing significant shifts in Antarctica, raising concerns about global sea level rise.
Source link
