The largest iceberg in the world, which is three times the size of New York City, is now “on the move” for the first time in 37 years.
Scientists have confirmed that the largest iceberg in the world, which is about three times the size of New York City, is finally moving after being attached to the ocean floor for 37 years.
The British Antarctic Survey reported that the iceberg named A23a is currently in motion and has passed the northern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula, making its way towards the Southern Ocean based on recent satellite imagery.
According to the BBC, back in 1986, an iceberg broke off from the Antarctic coast and measures 4,000 square kilometers (or 1,500 square miles) in size. However, it later got stuck in the Weddell Sea.
pic.twitter.com/KseKTD1Wrg— British Antarctic Survey 🐧 (@BAS_News) November 24, 2023
The massive iceberg, which was home to a Soviet research station until its breaking in 1986, is now in motion once more after 37 years for unknown reasons.
Dr. Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, consulted with some colleagues to inquire about any potential changes in shelf water temperatures that could have caused the event. However, the general agreement is that it was simply a natural occurrence. The shelf had been stationary since 1986, but eventually it was expected to decrease in size enough to break free and begin shifting.
According to the BBC, A23a is expected to be expelled into the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, also known as “iceberg alley”. This is the same route that renowned explorer Ernest Shackleton took in 1916 during his famous journey to escape Antarctica after his ship, the Endurance, was lost. The journey has since become legendary.shipwreck was discovered
Last year, there was an incident off the coast of Antarctica.
1,500-square-kilometer behemoth — broke off
A23a’s displacement occurred approximately 10 months following the detachment of a massive portion of Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf, measuring 1,500 square kilometers.
A chunk that is equivalent to the size of two New York Cities. — broke free. The Brunt Ice Shelf lies across the Weddell Sea from the site of the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. Last year, the Larsen C ice shelf — which was roughly the size of New York City and was long considered to be stable — collapsed into the sea.
Stephen Smith
Source: cbsnews.com