One of the largest icebergs ever recorded, known as A23a, is rapidly breaking apart. This massive iceberg was once twice the size of Rhode Island. Now, NASA reports it is turning blue due to pools of meltwater forming on its surface.
A recent satellite image from December 26, 2025, shows stunning blue meltwater on A23a. The next day, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station provided a close-up view that revealed even more meltwater. NASA notes that A23a has “sprung a leak.” The weight of the water collected on top has made the ice vulnerable, causing it to crack further. Experts believe that A23a could completely disintegrate within days or weeks, as it heads toward warmer waters.
Retired scientist Chris Shuman, formerly from the University of Maryland, predicts that A23a won’t survive the summer. The region where it currently drifts has been labeled a “graveyard” for icebergs, where many meet their end.
Distinct blue and white patterns on A23a are striations formed hundreds of years ago when it was part of the Antarctic bedrock. Walt Meier, a research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, explains that these striations create ridges and valleys that influence how meltwater flows across the iceberg’s surface.
A23a broke away from Antarctica in 1986, initially spanning about 4,000 square kilometers. After being stuck for over 30 years, it finally began drifting north in 2020. A time-lapse video from the British Antarctic Survey paints a clear picture of its journey. In January 2025, it was even on a path towards a penguin colony but thankfully veered away.
In recent months, large chunks of A23a have split off due to warm summer conditions. Current estimates from the U.S. National Ice Center indicate that as of early January 2026, A23a measures about 1,182 square kilometers, still larger than New York City but much reduced compared to its original size.
Shuman reflects on the significance of tracking this iceberg closely. He notes that A23a shares the fate of many icebergs that break away from Antarctica, yet its journey has been unique and remarkable.
In a world increasingly impacted by climate change, observing events like A23a’s disintegration highlights urgent environmental issues. The melting of icebergs not only affects marine ecosystems but can also contribute to rising sea levels—something we cannot afford to ignore. According to a recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global sea levels have risen about 8 inches since 1880, with accelerating rates observed as polar ice melts.
For more on climate change and its effects, the NOAA offers valuable insights through their reports.
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Antarctica, NASA
