World's largest iceberg A23A on melting course after a 30‑year standstill, could nourish Atlantic wildlife
On Sunday, January 14, a ship operated by expedition company Eyos approached A23A, an iceberg that has earned the title of the largest in the world due to its size. This colossal iceberg spans approximately 1,544 square miles in surface area, making it three times larger than New York. A23A's ice cover is 985 feet thick, and the iceberg's mass could be as much as a trillion tons. However, it is expected to decrease daily, as BBC News noted.
3:08 AM EST, January 19, 2024
A23A continues its journey
A23A was part of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in West Antarctica but separated in 1986. From that time until November 2023, it remained lodged in the Weddell Sea shoals. The Antarctic Survey organization reported that A23A began its journey towards the Atlantic in 2023. The iceberg is drifting in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, a cold ocean current that flows around Antarctica from west to east in a continuous stream. This current is pushing A23A towards the South Orkney Islands, situated on the southwestern fringe of the Atlantic Ocean.
During the last approach to A23A, scientists observed that warmer air and surface waters eroded the iceberg. They noticed the ice formation was riddled with numerous caves and arches. They even reported waves, approximately 10 to 13 feet high, crashing into its surfaces. A drone was sent towards the iceberg to gather more data about A23A's 19-mile high cliffs.
The fate that awaits iceberg A23A mirrors that of most icebergs that traverse the "iceberg alley." It will eventually melt and disappear. The timeline for this occurrence is under speculation by experts, who suggest this might be the iceberg's last few months. Interestingly, melting could bring environmental benefits, as reported by BBC News. Upon melting, the minerals contained within A23A will nourish various organisms in the Atlantic, ranging from plankton to large whales.
