World’s Largest Iceberg Drifting Toward South Georgia Island, Threatening Wildlife

The world’s largest iceberg, known as A-23-A, is on a collision course with South Georgia, a British overseas territory in northern Antarctica, Anadolu Agency reported. This massive iceberg, approximately 40 meters tall and weighing an estimated 1 trillion tonnes, first broke away from the Antarctic shelf in the 1980s. After being grounded for over 30 years, it broke free in 2020 and has been drifting northward.

Experts warn that if A-23-A reaches South Georgia, it may split apart, creating smaller fragments that could threaten local wildlife. These smaller ice chunks could obstruct critical nesting and feeding areas for penguins, seals, and other marine animals. Petra Heil, a sea ice scientist, noted that while icebergs can release vital nutrients into the ocean, the increasing rate of iceberg melting due to climate change poses significant risks to marine ecosystems.

Scientists continue to monitor the iceberg’s trajectory, with its arrival expected within weeks.