World’s Largest Iceberg, the Size of Rhode Island

The largest iceberg stuck near Antarctica for four decades dislodged from the Weddell Sea. It is currently floating and reportedly heading to the South Atlantic; experts warn that it could wreak havoc.

World's Largest Iceberg

The world's largest iceberg, the A23a iceberg, is now freely floating north of Antarctica. It is a sort of concern because it is so massive and is about the size of the state of Rhode Island at 1,500 square miles.

It is being closely monitored since it may soon encounter the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which would cause the berg to enter "iceberg alley" in the Southern Ocean. However, it might wind up in several distinct locations.

"An iceberg of this scale has the potential to survive for quite a long time in the Southern Ocean, even though it's much warmer, and it could make its way farther north up toward South Africa where it can disrupt shipping," Oliver Marsh, British Antarctic Survey glaciologist, explained.

1986 Iceberg A23a broke off from the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in West Antarctica. However, the slab, which was 1,300 feet thick, eventually wedged itself into the neighboring Weddell Sea. It has been sitting there motionless for about forty years. The iceberg has begun to drift faster after moving for more than a year. It has already surpassed the Antarctic Peninsula's northernmost point.

The BBC was informed by British Antarctic Survey remote sensing expert Andrew Fleming that A23a had to have shrunk in size just enough to release its hold and begin traveling. He said that what happened was not a surprise as everyone agreed it would eventually happen, and the time had arrived.

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Threat From The Largest Iceberg

With A23a gaining momentum, there are several possible outcomes for the iceberg, one of which is that it will eventually approach South African maritime lanes. Alternatively, if it heads for South Georgia, it is reportedly a threat to wildlife as it may crash onto the island, which is home to seals, penguins, and seabirds, or it may just crash onto its narrow continental shelf. It's more likely to stay close to Antarctica, though.

It's also possible that none of these will occur and that A23a will begin to split apart while traveling, at which point it won't treat shipping or animals. Now that the largest iceberg in the world is no longer wedged into the ocean floor, scientists are keeping a close eye on its possible effects.

How Orcas Use Iceberg For Skincare?

Meanwhile, orcas take advantage of icebergs to relieve themselves from itching. In the documentary "Incredible Animal Journeys," a pod of orca was spotted swimming near the Antarctic iceberg. Then, they began gliding on it to rub their itchy skin. Apparently, they used icebergs as "scratching pots."

Series producer Sarah Gibson said it was a "rare" behavior to witness. The killer whales could not molt in sub-zero seas, and the green algae on their skin couldn't wait to be scratched as it would take weeks to reach the warmer tropical waters.