The massive iceberg A23a, larger than the ACT and twice the size of Greater London, is heading towards the British overseas territory of South Georgia, raising fears of potential devastation to penguin and seal colonies.
The world's largest and oldest iceberg, A23a, is on a collision course with the British island of South Georgia, raising concerns about the potential destruction of penguin and seal colonies. A23a, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory and twice the size of Greater London, broke off the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986 and remained grounded for three decades.
It was dislodged from the seafloor in 2020 and began drifting northwards, eventually becoming trapped in an ocean vortex in 2024. This vortex has now propelled the iceberg towards South Georgia, which is currently about 278 kilometers away. The projected arrival date is within two to four weeks, contingent upon ocean currents. Simon Wallace, a sea captain aboard the South Georgia government vessel Pharos, expressed his hope that the iceberg would completely miss the island, acknowledging the inherent dangers posed by icebergs. Previous encounters with giant icebergs have tragically resulted in the death of penguin chicks and seal pups on South Georgia due to the blockage of their feeding grounds. A23a's towering 400-meter cliffs, surpassing the height of Australia's tallest building, the Q1 Tower on the Gold Coast, and its vast area of roughly 3,500 square kilometers, are cause for significant concern. However, warmer northern waters are melting the iceberg, potentially breaking it into smaller segments.These fragmented pieces could then drift erratically around South Georgia for years, jeopardizing the territory's king penguins, elephant seals, and fur seals. A 2004 grounding of an iceberg known as A38 on the continental shelf northeast of South Georgia serves as a stark reminder of the potential devastation. This iceberg severely impacted penguin and seal populations by hindering their access to foraging routes. Mark Belchier, a marine ecologist advising the South Georgia government, stated that the island's location in 'iceberg alley' makes encounters with icebergs inevitable, posing risks to both fisheries and wildlife. He emphasized that both sectors possess a remarkable capacity to adapt to these challenges. In 2023, a team from the British Antarctic Survey aboard the research vessel Sir David Attenborough investigated A23a, venturing into a crack and collecting water samples. Dr. Andrew Meijers, the mission's chief scientist, described the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing the colossal iceberg firsthand. Laura Taylor, a biogeochemist who participated in the expedition, highlighted the potential for giant icebergs to provide nutrients to the surrounding waters, fostering thriving ecosystems in otherwise less productive regions.
ICEBERG SOUTH GEORGIA PENGUINS SEALS ANTARCTICA CLIMATE CHANGE ECOLOGY MARINE LIFE
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