Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The world’s largest iceberg, known as A32a, is currently floating freely along the fringes of Antarctica. The massive iceberg is roughly twice the size of Greater London. According to radar altimeter measurements from spacecraft, scientists estimate the iceberg has an average thickness of more than 280 meters.
For over 30 years, this enormous ice mass remained grounded in the Weddell Sea since breaking off in 1986. However, in 2020, A32a began drifting into the open ocean.
Floating Iceberg A32a
Originally part of the Flichner Ice Shelf, A32a was first formed in 1986, according to Guinness World Records. This giant mass, once part of the larger ice shelf, broke away, creating what is now known as A32a. Spanning over 31,000 square kilometers, the iceberg measures 335 kilometers long and 97 kilometers wide.
By 2022, A32a had broken apart and began drifting freely in the ocean, following ocean currents. The iceberg is estimated to move approximately 48 kilometers per day, likely heading toward warmer waters in the southern Antarctic. A32a now follows a path scientists refer to as the “iceberg alley,” a region where many Antarctic icebergs eventually break apart and melt away.
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In April 2024, A32a was seen floating near the South Orkney Islands, about 700 kilometers northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. By August, something unusual occurred: the iceberg began rotating counterclockwise in the Taylor column above the seamount at Pirie Bank. Researchers suspect that A32a was caught in a swirling ocean current caused by underwater barriers. It is expected to remain trapped in this location, gradually melting and eroding over time.
Future Projections for Iceberg A32a
Due to its massive size and melting trajectory, A32a has drawn the attention of researchers, including those at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Using the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPPS) and its Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), NOAA has been monitoring the iceberg’s movements in the Weddell Sea.
There are concerns that as A32a continues its journey into other waters, it could impact ocean currents and nearby ecosystems. Its enormous size could act as a natural barrier, redirecting water flow and potentially influencing weather patterns. Additionally, the melting iceberg is feared to accelerate sea level rise. As A32a breaks apart and melts, the added volume of water could contribute significantly to the ongoing increase in global sea levels.
Researchers will continue to monitor A32a, tracking its movement and eventual dissolution as it drifts further from Antarctica’s icy coasts. The iceberg’s eventual fate serves as a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics in our planet’s polar regions.
(Raidi/Agung)
