The world’s largest iceberg is heading towards a British island near Antarctica, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems and maritime navigation in the region.
“If this happens (the iceberg grounding), it could seriously impede access to feeding grounds for the wildlife — seals and penguins mostly — that breed on the island,” said Dr. Andrew Meijers, an oceanographer with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), speaking to the Daily Mail.
Named A23, this colossal “megaberg” weighs over one trillion tons and initially spanned more than 1,500 square miles — nearly three times the size of New York City. However, its size has now reduced to about 1,351 square miles after shedding chunks of ice over the past two weeks.
The iceberg is currently just 173 miles from South Georgia, a British territory renowned for its abundant wildlife, earning it the nickname the “Serengeti of the Arctic.” This biodiverse region is home to king penguins, as well as millions of elephant and fur seals.
Experts warn that if A23 runs aground, it could disrupt feeding routes for wildlife, creating a potential ecological disaster. Such an event occurred in 2004, when an iceberg named A38 blocked feeding pathways, leading to the death of penguin chicks and seal pups.
Sailors and fishermen in the area are also on high alert, as the iceberg could pose significant hazards. In 2023, another large floe, A76, nearly grounded near South Georgia, creating a dangerous maze of ice.
“Chunks of it were tipping up, so they looked like great ice towers, an ice city on the horizon,” recalled marine ecologist Mark Belchier, who advises the South Georgia government.
Captain Simon Wallace, who commands the South Georgia government vessel Pharos, explained the precautions his crew takes. “Those pieces basically cover the island (South Georgia) — we have to work our way through it,” he told the BBC. Wallace’s team keeps searchlights on throughout the night to avoid collisions with icebergs.
Currently, scientists and mariners are monitoring satellite images to track A23’s movements. While the iceberg remains intact for now, its trajectory is unpredictable.
“It is presently in a meander of the current and not moving directly towards the island, but our understanding of the currents suggests that it is likely to again move towards the island (South Georgia) soon,” explained Dr. Meijers. “The current follows the shallow continental shelf around the island to the southeast, but the question is whether the berg will follow this out into the open South Atlantic or become stuck on the shelf for some time.”
