Massive Iceberg Grounds Near South Georgia: What You Need to Know

The enormous iceberg known as A23a has recently run aground after floating in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica since 2020. This ice giant weighs almost a trillion metric tons, which is around 1.1 trillion tons, and is currently positioned near South Georgia, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

Measuring 3,672 square kilometers (1,418 square miles), A23a is a bit smaller than Rhode Island and over twice the size of London. It originally broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica back in 1986 and rested on the seafloor in the Weddell Sea for over 30 years before starting its journey in 2020.

In late 2024, it encountered an undersea mountain that temporarily trapped it, delaying its voyage north. After finally breaking free, there were concerns that A23a would drift toward South Georgia, affecting local wildlife like seals and penguins. Thankfully, these worries have lessened, as the iceberg is now grounded about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from shore.

Andrew Meijers, an oceanographer at BAS, stated that if A23a remains grounded, it is not expected to harm the local wildlife significantly. In fact, its presence might even help. The nutrients stirred up by the iceberg and its melting could enhance food sources for penguins and seals in the area.

Although A23a is still intact for now, similar large icebergs from the past often break apart and melt quickly. Once an iceberg is grounded, it may become more likely to fracture due to stress. Meijers noted it’s challenging to predict exactly what will happen to A23a, but history shows that large icebergs can venture far north before disintegrating.

Once A23a does break apart, the smaller icebergs created could pose risks for fishing and shipping operations. Smaller icebergs are harder to see and track, and they can create hazards in the water. Past discussions with fishing operators have indicated that large icebergs can render certain fishing zones off-limits for an extended period due to these smaller, more dangerous ice bits.

Scientists believe A23a broke off as part of the natural cycle of the ice shelf, rather than being directly caused by climate change. However, global warming is leading to troubling changes in Antarctica that could contribute to rising sea levels worldwide.

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