May 5, 2025 10:23 pm
Full News

World’s Largest Iceberg Breaks Free and Drifts Northward After Yearlong Stagnation

The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is once again on the move after being trapped in a rotating water column for much of 2024. Measuring 3,800 square kilometers (1,500 square miles)—more than twice the size of Greater London—and 400 meters (1,312 feet) thick, A23a is an enormous mass of ice that detached from the Antarctic continent in 1986. Initially, it broke free from the ice shelf, only to become lodged on the floor of the Weddell Sea, a part of the Southern Ocean, where it remained for over three decades.
In 2020, A23a began to drift slowly northward, but in the spring of 2024, it became ensnared in a rotating column of water near the South Orkney Islands. This “vortex” caused the iceberg to spin in place for several months, hindering its movement. However, recent observations by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reveal that the iceberg is now moving northward once more, marking an exciting new phase in its journey.
Dr. Andrew Meijers, an oceanographer at BAS, expressed his enthusiasm for A23a’s movement, saying, “It’s exciting to see A23a on the move again after periods of being stuck.” He highlighted that the research team is particularly interested in understanding whether A23a will follow the same trajectory as other large icebergs that have calved off Antarctica in the past. The iceberg’s northward path is significant, as it is expected to eventually leave the Southern Ocean and enter the Atlantic, where warmer waters will likely cause it to break up into smaller fragments and melt. The iceberg’s interaction with the Southern Ocean and its eventual journey into the Atlantic presents an important opportunity for scientists to study the effects of such large ice masses on the global climate.
The iceberg’s movement is of particular interest to oceanographers and climate scientists because of its potential impact on local ecosystems. As it moves through the Southern Ocean, A23a is known to provide nutrients to the surrounding waters, fostering thriving ecosystems in regions that might otherwise be nutrient-poor. According to Laura Taylor, a biogeochemist who was part of the team aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough, “Giant icebergs can create thriving ecosystems in otherwise less productive areas,” but scientists are still researching how specific icebergs—especially those of enormous scale like A23a—affect these processes.
The British Antarctic Survey’s research into icebergs’ influence on ecosystems began last year when scientists aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough collected detailed data on the waters surrounding A23a. The researchers are particularly focused on understanding the iceberg’s role in providing crucial nutrients to the marine environment, which can lead to bursts of productivity in the ocean’s food chain. This interaction between the iceberg and the ocean is critical, as it can affect everything from plankton blooms to the behavior of larger marine species.
The study of A23a and other massive icebergs also holds climate significance. As icebergs like A23a move from the Antarctic region into warmer waters, they contribute to the overall melting of polar ice, which has implications for global sea levels. Researchers continue to monitor these icebergs’ paths to better understand how climate change is influencing the movement and breakdown of ice shelves in Antarctica.
A23a’s journey northward provides valuable scientific data on the long-term behavior of large icebergs and their influence on both marine ecosystems and global climate systems. As scientists track its movement, they continue to explore how icebergs like A23a will shape the future of oceanic environments and contribute to our understanding of climate dynamics. The iceberg’s eventual disintegration will likely provide further insight into the effects of ice melt and the broader consequences for Earth’s oceans and atmosphere.

Related News
1,308 Awami League Leaders and Activists Arrested in Bangladesh in a Single Day
U.S. Reimposes Sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Trade Amid Nuclear Talks
End of the World Alert: Biden Administration Allegedly Proposes Nuclear Weapon Transfer to Ukraine
6 Dead as Tourist Submarine Sinks in Egypt
New Ceasefire Proposal Presented for Israel-Gaza Conflict
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Eyes $95 Million Opening
Related Posts
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Possible “At Any Moment
Pakistan Accuses India of Violating Indus Waters Treaty, Prepares Formal Notice
India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Myanmar Junta May Weaponize Nuclear Power Plant, Warns UN Envoy
India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Following Pahalgam Attack
Trump Announces 100% Tariff on All Foreign Films
More News

High Court Petition Filed to Ban Awami League as a Political Party in Bangladesh

In a notable development, the coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasnat Abdullah, along with Sarjis Alam, has filed a petition with the High Court seeking a ban on Bangladesh’s Awami League as a political entity. The petition accuses the ruling party of orchestrating widespread violence and alleged killings of students and civilians during protests […]

Superbugs Claim 7,600 Lives Annually in the UK

London, February 27, 2025 – At least 7,600 people die each year in the United Kingdom due to infections caused by superbugs, according to a report published by the National Health Service (NHS) on Wednesday. The report indicates that the government has made little progress in preventing deaths from superbug infections. Superbugs refer to bacteria […]

US Averts Shutdown as Senate Passes Budget Deal

The U.S. Senate passed a budget deal early Saturday, narrowly avoiding a federal government shutdown. The bill, approved 85-11, was passed just after the House’s endorsement and now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. Without this agreement, millions of federal employees faced unpaid leave or work without pay, while key public services like parks and food […]

How did ISKCON begin? Reasons Discussed

Victoria Okampo After the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, there has been a lot of discussion about the Hindu religious organization that was associated with him, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness or International Society for Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON. Many people are also accusing ISKCON of preaching extremist religious doctrines. […]

Message from Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group to Bangladesh’s Interim Government and Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus Regarding Minority Violence

In a significant gathering held in Room 108 of the British Parliament, the Commonwealth All-Party Parliamentary Group convened to address the alarming reports of brutality against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The meeting, hosted by APPG Chair Andrew Rosindell, brought together members from various political parties, emphasizing the […]

James Bond Star Emilio Echeverría Dies at 80

Mexican actor Emilio Echeverría has passed away at the age of 80. He was best known for his roles in Babel, Amores Perros, The Alamo, and the James Bond franchise. The Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences confirmed his death on Saturday, although further details were not immediately available. Echeverría was a three-time Ariel […]

Trump Urges Elon Musk to Be More Aggressive

U.S. President Donald Trump has faced widespread criticism for layoffs and budget cuts aimed at reducing pressure on the federal government. However, on Saturday (February 22), he urged billionaire Elon Musk to be even more aggressive in downsizing the federal government. This report comes from British news agency Reuters. On his social media platform, Truth […]

Europe at a ‘Historic Crossroads,’ Warns French President

European Union (EU) leaders are gathering in Brussels on Thursday for a special defense summit, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that Europe is now at a ‘historic crossroads.’ On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a suspension of financial aid to Ukraine. The leaders will discuss how to support Ukraine if U.S. assistance ceases. […]

Israel Destabilizing Syria: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of destabilizing Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. He made the statement while speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey on Sunday, April 12. The remarks came just two days after Turkey and Israel held diplomatic talks, surprising many political analysts. According to […]

New Bone Test Could Rewrite British History, Scientists Claim

A groundbreaking DNA analysis method is set to challenge our understanding of Britain’s early history, from the end of Roman rule through to the Anglo-Saxon and Viking eras, according to researchers.Previously, DNA analysis was adept at tracking significant genetic changes over millennia, helping trace human evolution from our primate ancestors. Now, a new approach allows […]