Current:Home > MyMassive iceberg is 'on the move' near Antarctica after sitting still for decades-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Massive iceberg is 'on the move' near Antarctica after sitting still for decades
View Date:2024-12-23 15:42:46
One of the world's largest icebergs has begun moving through the waters of Antarctica after three decades spent immobile, according to the British Antarctic Survey.
Known as A23a, the iceberg has been stuck on the ocean floor in the Weddell Sea after splitting in 1986 from the Antarctic’s Filchner Ice Shelf. But after 37 years, the iceberg, which is about triple the size of New York City, finally appears to be "on the move," the survey said Friday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Reason for iceberg's movement is unclear
Satellite images revealed that the iceberg is drifting past the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and headed toward the Southern Ocean.
Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, told the BBC that the iceberg has been drifting for the past year. Recent observations indicate the colossal iceberg is picking up speed thanks to wind and ocean currents.
It's not exactly clear, however, why the iceberg began moving after being grounded for so long.
“I asked a couple of colleagues about this, wondering if there was any possible change in shelf water temperatures that might have provoked it, but the consensus is the time had just come,” Fleming told the BBC. "Eventually it was going to decrease (in size) sufficiently to lose grip and start moving."
A23a headed for 'iceberg alley'
The iceberg's movement was first noticed in 2020, Fleming told the BBC. The British Antarctic Survey said now that it has become ungrounded, the iceberg is headed along ocean currents toward sub-Antarctic South Georgia.
Eventually, scientists said, it probably will be launched into the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which will funnel it toward the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley,” the BBC reported.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (897)
Related
- 2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
- Blizzard aftermath in California's Sierra Nevada to bring more unstable weather
- Caitlin Clark passes Pistol Pete Maravich's record to become all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader
- NFL world honors 'a wonderful soul' after Chris Mortensen's death at 72
- Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
- How much snow fell in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada? Snowfall over 7 feet
- New Jersey waters down proposed referendum on new fossil fuel power plant ban
- Who gets an Oscar invitation? Why even A-listers have to battle for the exclusive ticket
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Just How Much Money Do CO2 Pipeline Companies Stand to Make From the Inflation Reduction Act?
Ranking
- Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together
- Trump tried to crush the 'DEI revolution.' Here's how he might finish the job.
- Lisa Vanderpump Is Joining Season 2 of Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars
- What is Gilbert syndrome? Bachelor star Joey Graziadei reveals reason for yellow eyes
- Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison
- What does 'shipping' mean? Unpacking the romance-focused internet slang
- Bruce Willis' wife slams 'stupid' claims he has 'no more joy' amid dementia battle
- Three-man, one-woman crew ready for weather-delayed launch to space station
Recommendation
-
Mason Bates’ Met-bound opera ‘Kavalier & Clay’ based on Michael Chabon novel premieres in Indiana
-
Photos show humpback whale washed up on Virginia Beach: Officials to examine cause of death
-
History-rich Pac-12 marks the end of an era as the conference basketball tournaments take place
-
The latest shake-up in Ohio’s topsy-turvy congressional primary eases minds within the GOP
-
What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
-
NFL free agency: When does it start? What is legal tampering period?
-
Takeaways from the Wisconsin 2020 fake electors lawsuit settlement
-
Emma Hemming Willis shares video about Bruce Willis' life after diagnosis: It's filled with joy.