World's Largest Iceberg Threatens Biodiversity on South Atlantic Island

Iceberg A23a, spanning 3,360 square kilometers, is drifting toward South Georgia Island, endangering critical habitats for seals and penguins.

Iceberg A23a, the largest in the world, broke off from Antarctica in 1986 and has been drifting toward South Georgia Island since December 2024.
A significant 79-square-kilometer fragment recently detached from the iceberg, signaling the potential for further fragmentation.
South Georgia Island is home to one of the world's largest concentrations of seals and penguins, whose feeding grounds could be disrupted by the iceberg's arrival.
Experts suggest that additional fragmentation could reduce the threat to wildlife, as smaller icebergs would allow animals to navigate more easily in search of food.
The iceberg's trajectory is influenced by ocean currents, making its exact path uncertain, though it continues to pose risks to the island's ecosystem.