World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Runs Aground Near South Georgia

The 4,000-square-kilometer iceberg, adrift since 1986, is now stationary 70 kilometers from the wildlife-rich island, potentially averting ecological risks.

Iceberg A23a, the largest in the world at 4,000 square kilometers, has run aground near South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The iceberg had been drifting northward since breaking off from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986, raising concerns about a potential collision with the island.
South Georgia is home to diverse wildlife, including penguins and seals, which could have faced disruptions to their feeding routes if the iceberg had collided with the island or blocked access to food sources.
Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey report that the iceberg is now stationary approximately 70 kilometers from the island and is unlikely to cause significant harm to the local ecosystem if it remains grounded.
Experts anticipate that the iceberg will eventually break into smaller pieces, which could pose navigation challenges for fishing vessels in the region.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung