Archive · 2 Sep 2025
Giant Iceberg A23a Breaks Up After Long Journey
A massive iceberg called A23a, which broke off Antarctica almost 40 years ago, is starting to fall apart.
It was once enormous, bigger than many cities.
This iceberg got stuck for many years but eventually moved into warmer waters.
Now, it's melting quickly and breaking into pieces because the water is too warm.
Scientists are watching it disappear.
Icebergs naturally break off, but climate change might be making this happen more often.
The colossal iceberg A23a is breaking apart in the South Atlantic Ocean.
It calved from Antarctica in 1986 but was stuck on the ocean floor for years.
The iceberg is now less than half its original size.
It recently traveled up to 20 kilometers per day.
Scientists expect it to disappear within weeks.
- Who
- The megaberg A23a
- What
- Is breaking up and melting in warmer waters.
- When
- Calved in 1986, breaking up now.
- Where
- South Atlantic Ocean, after originating from Antarctica.
- Why
- Due to exposure to warmer waters and wave action.
- Name
- A23a
- Original Size
- Twice the size of Greater London
- Current Size
- 1,770 square kilometers
- Origin
- Antarctic shelf
- Calving Year
- 1986
- Threatened
- Penguin feeding grounds
- Movement Speed
- Up to 20 kilometers/day recently