The world’s biggest iceberg, called A23a, has come to rest on the seafloor off the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, alleviating fears of possible destruction of local wildlife. Specialists had worried the huge ice formation, measuring 4,000 square kilometers, would cause disruption to life-critical ecosystems for penguins, seals, and seabirds.
Scientists tracking the movement of the iceberg assured that it has halted in shallow waters, decreasing the threat of it blocking feeding grounds for marine creatures. “If it remains on the bottom, we don’t anticipate that it will have much impact on the local wildlife,” researchers said, although they continue to keep track for any unexpected changes.
A23a, which broke away from Antarctica’s Filchner Ice Shelf more than three decades ago, had been moving slowly until it sped up in the past few months. If it had struck South Georgia’s coast, scientists feared that it could have sabotaged breeding grounds and isolated people from sources of food, causing a huge ecological disaster.
Though the position of the iceberg has reduced short-term threats, climate experts are keeping a close eye on its stability since melting and drifting might still affect ocean currents and marine life around it in the long term. The episode highlights the increasing role of climate change in affecting polar regions and ecosystems worldwide.
