Scientists say the iceberg, named A23a, is the largest iceberg in the world with a huge area of 1,500 square miles (4,000 km2, nearly 3 times the area of New York City) that has separated from the ocean floor.
Previously, this iceberg separated from the coast of Antarctica in 1986, but quickly `parked` in the Weddell Sea, turning this area into an ice island.
After 37 years, scientists confirmed on November 24 that satellite images showed that the trillion-ton mass of ice had drifted north across the Antarctic Peninsula, aided by strong winds and currents.
The world’s largest iceberg is floating away from Antarctica – Photo: REUTERS
An iceberg of this size moving is a rare sight for glaciologists.
Like most icebergs in the region, A23a will most likely move into the Antarctic Current, which will take it to `Iceberg Alley`, where several icebergs congregate in dark waters
Scientists are also concerned that the giant iceberg could again fall on South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic, potentially devastating Antarctic wildlife by cutting off access to
Marsh told Reuters: `An iceberg of this size is likely to persist for quite some time in the Southern Ocean, even though the weather is much warmer… It could move further north.`
Iceberg A23a is drifting towards the area where the Titanic tragedy occurred
Researchers estimate that 49% of the world’s glaciers will disappear by 2100, accounting for about 26% of the world’s glacier mass.
The researchers looked at the impact of four scenarios on glaciers, which were based on global average temperature changes of 1.5 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius.
Even with the most ambitious target in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, 49% of the world’s glaciers
According to Regine Hock of Osla University and the University of Alaska Fairnk, co-author of the study, areas with relatively little ice, such as the European Alps, the Caucasus, the Andes or the American West, lost almost all of their ice.
In the worst scenario of a global temperature increase of 4 degrees Celsius, giant glaciers like those in Alaska will be more affected and 83% of glaciers will disappear by the end of this century.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published in November 2022, some of the world’s most famous glaciers such as those on the Dolomites (
UNESCO monitors some 18,600 glaciers at the 50 World Heritage sites it recognizes and predicts that about 33% of them will disappear by 2050.
The remaining glaciers can be saved if global temperature increases do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.
49% of the world’s glaciers will disappear by 2100
Melting ice is a phenomenon in which blocks of ice separate into small pieces that float and then sink to the ocean surface.
Severe Climate Change
As the earth’s average temperature increases, the ice at the poles will melt.
Rising temperatures also worsen air pollution from the ozone layer.
The heat lasts for a long time
Prolonged heat waves dry out the land, all rivers and lakes will evaporate, causing widespread drought, desert-like climate, and uncontrolled forest fires.
In many parts of the world, water shortages lead to serious diseases.
Sea level rising
Melting ice will cause sea levels to rise by 66 m.
As a result, rising sea levels will penetrate underground water reserves located deep inland, and reach nearby freshwater aquifers.
Impact on ships traveling at sea
Melting ice will create large icebergs that drift across the sea.
If all the world’s glaciers melt, it will be a terrible tragedy for the entire earth
Effects on animals
Melting ice increases the earth’s average temperature, changing the habitat of many animals, leading to the disappearance or risk of extinction of species.
Disease is widespread
The melting of Earth’s glaciers will `awaken` ancient viruses that have been frozen for a long time.
Earthquakes and volcanoes
With the sudden increase in sea level due to the simultaneous melting of glaciers, the Earth’s rotation speed will gradually slow down.
