World’s Largest Iceberg Threatens South Georgia Wildlife

Iceberg A23a, twice the size of Greater London, is drifting toward South Georgia, raising concerns for penguins and seals' survival.

The massive iceberg A23a, weighing nearly one trillion tons and visible from space, is currently 173 miles from South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic.
Scientists predict the iceberg could collide with or bypass the island in two to four weeks, depending on ocean currents, with its path remaining uncertain.
If grounded near the island, A23a could block feeding routes, increasing mortality rates among penguin chicks and seal pups already facing challenges from bird flu outbreaks.
The iceberg, which calved from Antarctica in 1986 and was stuck on the seafloor for over 30 years, recently resumed its journey after breaking free in December 2024.
While posing immediate risks to wildlife, the iceberg’s eventual melting could release nutrients into the ocean, potentially fostering phytoplankton growth and benefiting marine ecosystems.