A satellite captured an image of the A23a iceberg in Antarctica in November 2023. CNN


December 17, 2024 Tags:

The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has begun moving again after being stuck in the same spot for months. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have been carefully tracking the iceberg, which spans an impressive 3,672 square kilometers (1,418 square miles)—a size slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island.
A23a, which calved from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in 1986, has had quite the journey. After breaking off from the shelf, it became grounded on the floor of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, where it stayed for over 30 years. Scientists believe it remained stuck due to its size and weight, but over time, it shrank just enough to free itself from the seafloor.

Once it broke free, the iceberg was carried by ocean currents, but it soon became stuck again in a Taylor column. This phenomenon happens when ocean currents hit an underwater mountain, creating a spinning vortex of water that traps the iceberg. However, A23a has now managed to break free once again and is on the move, drifting through the Southern Ocean toward warmer waters.

Scientists believe the iceberg will eventually head toward the remote South Georgia island, where it is likely to break up and melt. Despite the fact that this iceberg won’t contribute to rising sea levels, scientists are closely monitoring its movements. Icebergs like A23a, while impressive in size, don’t directly affect sea levels. However, the melting of ice shelves and glaciers in Antarctica is a different matter, as these processes are linked to global sea-level rise. This is where climate change has raised concerns.

A23a has held the title of the largest current iceberg several times since the 1980s, with a few larger, but shorter-lived icebergs like A68 and A76 briefly surpassing it. As the iceberg continues its journey, scientists are studying its impact on the surrounding environment, particularly in how the melting ice influences the ocean's carbon and nutrient cycles.

One of the interesting aspects of the iceberg's journey is the way it can provide nutrients to the waters it passes through. Laura Taylor, a biogeochemist at BAS, explained that icebergs like A23a can help create thriving ecosystems in waters that would otherwise be less productive. Scientists have collected samples from the waters surrounding the iceberg to study how life forms around it and how it impacts carbon levels in the ocean and its balance with the atmosphere. These studies could offer valuable insights into the ways icebergs affect ocean ecosystems and the larger global climate system.

As A23a drifts through the Southern Ocean, it continues to serve as both a scientific curiosity and a reminder of the shifting dynamics in Antarctica, where climate change is having significant and potentially far-reaching effects.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Lincoln’s Blood-Stained Gloves From The Assassination Up For Sale

A large collection of items linked to President Abraham Lincoln went up for auction on Wednesday. These artifacts were meant....

Canada Demands Explanation After Israeli Warning Shots Near Diplomats

Canada is calling in Israel’s ambassador after the Israeli military fired warning shots near a group of diplomats touring the....

7-Eleven Loses Big After Ignoring $125K Offer From Injured Woman

A woman from Smithers, B.C., Crystal Tommy, had a serious fall in 2018 after stepping into a pothole outside a....

Canada Moves To Join U.S. Golden Dome Missile Defense Program

Canada is now in talks to become a part of the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense program. A spokesperson from....

Melting Ice Sheets Threaten Coastal Cities Worldwide

Scientists warn that the world’s huge ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica could melt quickly. This could cause sea levels....

Noem's Misinterpretation Of Habeas Corpus Sparks Debate

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently spoke before a congressional committee. When asked about habeas corpus—a legal rule that lets....

Canadian Scientists Capture How Body’s Glow Fades Right After Death

A new study has revealed something unusual: living things give off a very weak light, and that light fades when....

Severe Storms Expected Tuesday In Alabama, Along With Strong Winds, Hail, And Tornadoes

Severe Weather Threat Tuesday Tuesday brings a risk of severe storms. Dangerous winds, hail, and tornadoes may hit parts of....

Canada’s Prime Minister Pledges Strong Support for Ukraine in Rome Meeting

Prime Minister Mark Carney has once again voiced Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine during a key meeting in Rome. On....

Three Kids Die In Toronto Crash With Suspected Drunk Driver

Early Sunday morning, a heartbreaking crash in west Toronto took the lives of three children and left three others in....

New Colorful Species Of Poison Dart Frog Found Deep In The Amazon

A group of scientists from Brazil and the Czech Republic has discovered a stunning new species of poison dart frog.....

Joe Biden’s Prostate Exam Finds Nodule, More Tests Ahead

Doctors found a small growth in Joe Biden’s prostate during a routine health check. A spokesperson confirmed this on Tuesday.....