Sluggish Iceberg Dangers South Georgia Island And Wildlife

UNSPLASH/James Eades ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The world's largest iceberg, A23a, has swept away from Antarctica to South Georgia, a remote island in England known for its wildlife diversity.

Now only 173 miles (280 km) away, the iceberg is at risk of collapse and split, potentially disrupting penguin and marine dogs, as seen in previous large icebergs.

"The iceberg is basically dangerous. I would love if this iceberg really passed us," Sea Captain Simon Wallace told BBC News of the South Georgia government ship, Pharos, as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, January 23.

Scientists, sailors and fishermen around the world are tracking the A23a movement through satellite imagery.

Seen from outer space, the iceberg gradually splits and can be divided into large segments at any time, according to experts.

"South Geogy is located on the iceberg, so the impact on fisheries and wildlife can be estimated," said marine ecologist Mark Belchier, who advised the government of South Georgia.

Belchier explained, both fisheries and wildlife have a large capacity to adapt to these challenges.

The ice mass that has been floating around South Georgia for years, posing a long-term threat to the island's ecosystem and wildlife.

South Georgia has faced similar threats in the past.

In 2004, the A38 iceberg ran aground near the island, blocking a place to find food and causing the death of penguin cubs and marine dogs.

Recently, in 2023, the A76 iceberg almost ran aground, leaving a large chunk of ice scattered around the island.

The balls were lifted, like an ice town on the horizon, recalls Belchier.

In 2023, a team from the British Space Survey studied the iceberg with PhD researcher Laura Taylor collecting water samples just 400 meters from the cliff.

"This is not just water like we drink," Taylor explained.

"It is full of nutrients and chemicals, as well as small animals such as phytoplankton frozen in it," he said.

As the iceberg melts, it releases these elements into the ocean, changing the chemistry of water.

Although the formation of the A23a occurred before modern climate change, this highlights Antarctica's instability which is increasing due to ocean warming and air temperatures that cause more icebergs to be more detached.

For now, the very large presence of A23a is expected to tower above the South Georgia horizon.

The remains of chunks of ice continue to disrupt the region, creating significant challenges for local ecosystems and navigation.