World's Largest Iceberg A23a Grounds Near South Georgia Island

The world's largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia Island after drifting in the Southern Ocean since 2020. Weighing approximately one trillion metric tons, the iceberg calved from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986 and remained grounded on the seabed for over three decades. After breaking free in 2020, it drifted until recently, when it grounded approximately 90 kilometers from South Georgia. Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) suggest that if A23a remains grounded, it is unlikely to significantly impact local wildlife. The grounding and subsequent melting could release nutrients, potentially boosting the regional ecosystem. However, the breakup of A23a could pose hazards to fishing and shipping operations due to smaller, harder-to-detect icebergs. While A23a's detachment is considered part of the ice shelf's natural cycle, global warming contributes to the overall decline of Antarctic ice, affecting sea levels and ocean circulation.