Skip to main content

A23a, the world’s largest iceberg, has begun a significant journey after decades of remaining stationary. Measuring nearly 3,500 square kilometers in surface area and 400 meters thick, this massive ice block originally calved from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in West Antarctica in 1986.

For over 30 years, it was grounded on the seafloor of the Antarctic Ocean, effectively frozen in place.

Recent shifts in ocean dynamics have set A23a adrift, moving northward toward the southern Atlantic Ocean. Oceanographers predict that as it encounters warmer waters, the iceberg will gradually fragment into smaller pieces and eventually melt. This process highlights the natural lifecycle of Antarctic icebergs and the influence of ocean currents on their trajectories.

A23a, the largest iceberg
A23a, Antarctica. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery

The image capturing this dramatic movement was taken on December 12, 2024, by a Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite. At the time, the iceberg was located approximately 400 kilometers southwest of South Georgia, a region known for its significant marine biodiversity.

Satellite data from the Copernicus program plays a critical role in monitoring such remote environments. These observations are vital for understanding iceberg dynamics and their potential impact on ecosystems and sea level rise. The open availability of Copernicus data ensures scientists worldwide can track icebergs like A23a and study their broader implications on climate systems.

Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery

Image of the day: Dokkum, a snowy view of Friesland
Satellite image: Dokkum, Netherlands (s. snow)
Image of the day: Dokkum, a snowy view of FrieslandNews

Image of the day: Dokkum, a snowy view of Friesland

Dokkum, a historic city in Friesland, Netherlands, lies near the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its tidal flats and barrier islands.…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskMarch 1, 2025 Full article
EVs alone won’t save us from climate catastrophe
EVs alone won’t save us from climate catastropheClimate

EVs alone won’t save us from climate catastrophe

By Lily Rau, Climateworks Centre, Melbourne | 360info Zero-emissions vehicles would need to hit 73 percent of new light vehicle sales by 2030 to keep transport…
SourceSourceJuly 3, 2024 Full article
Changing climate influences London’s Chelsea Flower Show
Changing climate influences London’s Chelsea Flower ShowNews

Changing climate influences London’s Chelsea Flower Show

By Brigitte DUSSEAU | AFP London, United Kingdom - Early springs, droughts and floods are influencing this year's Chelsea Flower Show, which is keener than…
SourceSourceMay 20, 2024 Full article