In a natural spectacle, the planet’s largest iceberg, known as A23a, has recently begun its first movement in over three decades. Originally dislodged from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in West Antarctica in 1986, this colossal iceberg, spanning approximately 4000 square kilometers and weighing a staggering trillion metric tons, had been firmly anchored to the floor of the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. However, recent scientific observations reveal that the iceberg has started to shift due to the thinning that occurred over the years, causing it to detach from the sea floor.
Scientists, using satellite imagery, meticulously tracked the trajectory of this massive iceberg. Propelled by ocean currents and winds, A23a is now on a course away from Antarctica, heading toward the South Atlantic. It’s fascinating to note that more than 85% of an iceberg’s volume is concealed beneath the water’s surface.
