Once an enormous Antarctic iceberg, the infamous A68 iceberg melts away into the Atlantic Ocean after nearly four years of journey. Dubbed the world’s largest iceberg, the iceberg was headed to the South Atlantic island oasis, threatening life there, after it broke off from Antarctica’s Larsen C Shelf in July 2017.
At the time, it was 2,240 square miles, which is about the size of the state of Delaware! Since then, the iceberg has been swirling around the South Atlantic, heading toward South Georgia Island.
However, the warm temperatures and rocking waves broke it into pieces, large and small. Those pieces have since fragmented into further small pieces that are too insignificant to track.
Once an enormous iceberg, A68 melts away in the Atlantic Ocean | Image: CNN
The U.S. National Ice Center tracks icebergs that are at least 10 maritime miles in length or have an area of at least 20 square nautical miles. A68 has broken into pieces smaller than these measurements.
Probably the most well-documented iceberg in history, ample satellite imagery provided data for the slightest cracks on the enormous iceberg that appeared under the strain of the movement.
Also Read: Giant Iceberg the Size of London Breaks Off from Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica
In November 2020, the iceberg was on a collision course toward South Georgia Island, which could have potentially disrupted the ecosystem there. However, A68 broke off into pieces and began swirling around the island.
Researchers have been working on understanding how a big calving event like the one that birthed A68 affects the surrounding ecosystems, but the harsh climate of Antarctica has made the work difficult.
Via: Live Science