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World's Largest Iceberg A23a Trapped in Ocean Vortex

The trillion-tonne iceberg, adrift since 2020, is spinning in place due to a rare ocean phenomenon called a Taylor Column.

  • A23a, the world's largest iceberg, broke away from Antarctica in 1986 but remained grounded until 2020.
  • The iceberg is now caught in a Taylor Column, a rotating water mass caused by the ocean floor's topography.
  • A23a's current location is just north of the South Orkney Islands, where it turns 15 degrees anti-clockwise daily.
  • Scientists predict the iceberg could remain trapped for years, delaying its expected melting.
  • The iceberg's prolonged existence highlights the significant influence of seafloor features on ocean dynamics.
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