Scientists say an iceberg nearly three times the area of New York City (USA) has separated from the bottom of the ocean and begun to drift north to what is called an ice barge.
The iceberg named A23a is the world's largest iceberg with a huge area of 4,000 km2. It separated from the Arctic coast in 1986 but quickly settled in the Weddell Sea, turning the area into a giant ice island.
However, after staying here for about 37 years, scientists confirmed on November 24 that satellite images showed a trillion-ton ice mass drifting northward across the Arctic peninsula, supported by strong winds and ocean currents.
A floating ice pack of such a size moving is a rare phenomenon for ice researchers.
Over time, it may thin slightly and have some more subduction to emerge from the ocean floor and be pushed away by the ocean, Reuters quoted Oliver Marsh of the British around the Arctic Reserve as saying.
Why the oldest ice pack on the planet separated and drifted is still a mystery.
Dr. Andrew Fleming, a Marsh colleague, told BBC that the iceberg broke off in 1986 and was eventually reduced in size enough to lose traction and start moving. Dr. Fleming said that since 2020, he has recorded signs of The ice will drift.
Like most of the ice nganges in the region, A23a is likely to move into the Arctic's ocean, which would take it to the "lets Binh Xeu" - where some similar ice nganges gather in the dark water - such as the ice nganges that collided in 2012 with the Titanic, sinking 1,517 people.
However, scientists are concerned that the giant ice pack could once again fall on South Georgia in the South Atlantic, potentially destroying southern Arctic wildlife by cutting off access to millions of cranes, 757 birds and seabirds using the area for breeding or hunting for food.
Like all the ice pack, the ultimate fate of A23a will make it disappear into vanity - but a giant ice pack like this could take a long time to do so, potentially causing more people to have a headache later on.
Marsh told Reuters: A iceberg of this size is likely to survive a long time in the South Atlantic even though it is much warmer. It could travel further north to South Africa, disrupting transportation.
