A-23a, World's Largest Iceberg —Twice The Size Of London— Begins Movement After 30 Years

Iceberg  A-23a:  The world's biggest iceberg, A-23a, finally started floating after being stuck at a place in Antarctica for over 30 years. According to a BBC report, the 4000 square kilometres super iceberg was detached from Antartica's coastline in 1986, however, remained at a static location in the Weddell Sea on the ocean floor. Recent reports from the British Antarctic Survey suggest that the iceberg - twice the size of London - will follow the 'iceberg alley' as a path to get out from Antarctica towards warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean.

With a whopping thickness of 400m (1,312 ft), the giant iceberg is even taller than the London Shard, the tallest skyscraper in Europe, which is a mere 310m tall.

Why iceberg A23a is on the move?
Although many environmental experts have shared the apprehension of change in sea surface temperature due to climate change as the reason behind the loosening of the grip of the iceberg, British scientists are of the view that its 'time had just come.' According to Dr Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, the iceberg was grounded in 1986 but with passing time the size was reduced sufficiently resulting in the loosening of its grip over the sea floor.

Dr Fleming further said that he first spotted the movement in this super-berg in 2020. A23a has put on a spurt in recent months, driven by winds and currents, and is now passing the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Impact of the movement of Iceberg A23a
The global scientific community is observing the progress and path of the iceberg very closely due to its ability to have a big impact on the oceanic ecosystem. If the iceberg were to ground in South Georgia, it could pose challenges for a large population of seals, penguins, and other seabirds that breed on the island. The substantial size of A23a might disrupt the normal foraging routes of these animals, potentially hindering their ability to properly feed their offspring.

However, it is wrong to think of icebergs solely as hazards, recalling incidents like the Titanic. They also have many positive consequences for the ocean. As these large icebergs undergo melting, they release mineral dust that was initially embedded in their ice when they were part of glaciers scraping along the rock bed of Antarctica. This dust serves as a source of nutrients for the organisms forming the foundation of ocean food chains.

"In many ways these icebergs are life-giving; they are the origin point for a lot of biological activity," said Dr Catherine Walker, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who was born in the same year as A23a. "I identify with it; it's always been there for me."