The world's largest iceberg is moving towards a remote South Atlantic island: thousands of penguins and seals are at risk

The world's largest iceberg, A23a – measuring 1967 kilometers and weighing a trillion tons – is rapidly approaching a remote British island. This "mega-iceberg," as the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) calls it, is headed for a devastating collision with the South Atlantic island, which is home to thousands of penguins, seals, and other wildlife.

The dangerous iceberg recently broke free from its position north of the South Orkney Islands and began drifting in the Southern Ocean. According to the coordinates of the U.S. National Ice Center, the giant block of ice, called the "Queen of Icebergs," is now about 290 kilometers from South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, LiveScience reports.

"Icebergs are inherently dangerous. I would have been extremely happy if it hadn't hit us," said Simon Wallace, sea captain of a government vessel in South Georgia.

The captain also warned that the iceberg was dangerously close to running aground and breaking into pieces. The concern is that these pieces could remain for years, wreaking havoc on sailors and fishermen traveling in these waters, the DailyMail notes.

According to the British Antarctic Survey, A23a first broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986. However, it remained tethered to the seabed for more than 30 years before beginning a slow journey north in 2020.

Last February, the iceberg became trapped in a Taylor column, a phenomenon where rotating water above an underwater mountain traps objects in place, scientists explain. This caused A23a to rotate in place, delaying its expected rapid drift northward.

However, in December 2024, satellite images confirmed that the "queen of icebergs" had broken free.

According to scientists, the movement of icebergs is always difficult to predict because they are constantly changing, losing large chunks of ice from their sides and melting as they enter warmer waters.

However, current expert predictions indicate that A23a will be pushed by ocean currents toward a stretch of water called Drake Passage, often referred to as the place "where icebergs go to die," scientists say.

South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands are known to be located on the eastern edge of this passage, so they are no strangers to threats from approaching icebergs.

"South Georgia is located in an iceberg alley, so impacts to both fisheries and wildlife are to be expected. However, they both have a great capacity to adapt," said Mark Belcher, a marine ecologist who advises the South Georgia government.

However, no one can predict whether a collision will be catastrophic for local wildlife. In 2004, for example, the huge A38 iceberg slid onto the continental shelf of South Georgia, blocking feeding grounds for penguins and seals, leaving many of their chicks to die on their beaches, researchers say.

Although A23a could break up any day, every fragment of the mega iceberg poses a potential danger to the island. That's why Captain Simon Wallace and his team are keeping an eye on the giant block's approach. "We have searchlights on all night to try to see the ice," he said.

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