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World’s Largest Iceberg on Collision Course with South Georgia Island, Threatening Wildlife


South Georgia: The world’s largest and oldest iceberg is on a collision course with the remote South Georgia Island, posing a potential threat to the island’s rich wildlife, Australian broadcaster SBS News reported.



According to Anadolu Agency, the massive iceberg, known as A-23-A, originated from the Antarctic shelf in the 1980s. Standing at 40 meters (131 feet) in height and weighing an estimated 1 trillion tonnes, the iceberg is remarkable for its longevity. Sue Cook, a glaciologist at the University of Tasmania, explained that the iceberg spent over 30 years stuck on the sea floor due to its deep underwater mass, much like a ship with a deep keel that runs aground.



The iceberg eventually broke free in 2020 and started its northward journey, although oceanic forces have occasionally stalled its progress. Experts now believe it is drifting towards South Georgia Island, a British overseas territory renowned for its biodiversity and often referred to as the “Galapagos of the South.”



Petra Heil, a sea ice scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division, stated that while the iceberg might bypass the island, it is more likely to split into smaller fragments before reaching the shore due to grounding in shallow waters. Despite this, the smaller fragments could still pose a threat to local wildlife by obstructing access to nesting and feeding areas for species such as penguins and seals.



Icebergs naturally release nutrients into oceans, supporting marine ecosystems. However, scientists caution that climate change is accelerating the melting and loss of these glacial structures in Antarctica.