A trillion-ton behemoth, larger than some small countries, is on the move—and it looks straight out of Game of Thrones. One of the largest icebergs ever to be found is the large A23a ice, which is heading for South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic. Weighing five times as much as Mount Everest, it is an awe-inspiring sight—a towering wall of ice stretching from horizon to horizon.
A freezing giant suddenly frees itself.
A23a was born in 1986, when it calved off the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica, but for years it remained stowed in area like a lost object. Therefore, in 2020, it finally started to drift north and eventually started to break loose. It is now cruising toward South Georgia at a speed of 30 meters per day after being sucked into a swirling sea present for six months last month.
What happens when a megaberg meets warmer waters?
As A23a moves into warmer waters, it will slim out, deteriorate, and ultimately disintegrate. Before that happens, however, it may prevent penguins and seals from getting the most food from South Georgia’s abundant waters. At the same time, melting glaciers release nutrition, which may improve aquatic ecosystems.
Shipping problem? Not really, but…
The iceberg may disrupt local shipping, even though there is no” Titanic II” disaster in the works. According to Laura Sinclair Willis, CEO of South Georgia,” a huge iceberg makes it difficult for vehicle traffic to enter some of those pieces.”
A unique frost giant
Megabergs like A23a are uncommon, whereas glaciers frequently calve from Antarctica. The majority of them break into smaller parts when they hit the open seas, but this has defied the odds for almost four years.
Experts and wildlife experts are closely watching it as it looms over South Georgia. Will it improve native ecosystems or make things worse for them? In any case, A23a’s last act is undoubtedly serious.
