Known as the world’s largest iceberg, the “A23a” has grounded on an island belonging to England in the Atlantic Ocean. It is claimed that the iceberg contains a large amount of nutrients and could create an explosion of life in the ocean when it breaks up and melts. The A23a, which broke off from Antarctica in 1986 and subsequently turned into an ‘ice island,’ had become active last year after approximately 40 years.

According to the BBC, satellite images have revealed the current situation of the “A23a,” known as the largest iceberg in the world. The A23a collided with and grounded on a shallow continental shelf located 80 km from the South Georgia Island.

COULD LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION OF LIFE IF SHATTERED It is claimed that the iceberg, which contains a large amount of nutrients, could cause an explosion of life in the ocean when it breaks up and melts. Professor Nadine Johnston from the British Antarctic Survey stated, “This is like dropping a food bomb into a barren desert.” Ecologist Mark Belchier, who advises the government of South Georgia, said, “If it shatters, the resulting icebergs could pose a danger to ships moving in local currents and restrict access to local fishing areas for ships.” “SOME OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE WORLD” Professor Huw Griffiths from the RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel in Antarctica mentioned, “All icebergs are destined to die. A23a surviving for so long and only losing a quarter of its area is very surprising.” Emphasizing the glacier’s contribution to the regional ecosystem, Griffiths said, “The whole universe is crunched by a colossal piece of ice carved on the seabed. While destroying something in one place, it provides nutrients and food in other places. Without ice, we couldn’t have these ecosystems. They support many species and individual animals and feed the world’s largest animals, like the blue whale.”A23A’S LATEST MOVEMENTS Breaking off Antarctica’s coasts in 1986 and grounding in the Weddell Sea, turning into an ‘ice island,’ the A23a became active again in 2024 after about 40 years. Caught in a massive eddy in the spring, the glacier began drifting northward. In the latest scientific examination, the A23a’s area measured approximately 4 thousand square kilometers, with a thickness of around 400 meters.