A trillion-ton behemoth, larger than some small countries, is on the move—and it looks straight out of Game of Thrones. The massive A23a iceberg, one of the biggest ever recorded, is drifting toward South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic. Weighing five times as much as Mount Everest, it is an awe-inspiring sight—a towering wall of ice stretching from horizon to horizon.
A frozen giant finally breaks free
A23a was born in 1986, when it calved off Antarctica’s Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf, but for decades, it barely moved, stuck in place like a forgotten relic. Then, in 2020, it finally broke loose and began drifting north. After getting caught in a swirling ocean current for six months last year, it is now cruising toward South Georgia at a pace of 30 kilometers per day.
What happens when a megaberg meets warmer waters?
As A23a enters warmer waters, it will thin out, weaken, and eventually break apart. But before that happens, it could block critical feeding routes for penguins and seals, which rely on South Georgia’s rich waters for survival. At the same time, melting icebergs release nutrients, possibly boosting marine ecosystems.
Shipping nightmare? Not quite, but…
While there’s no “Titanic II” disaster looming, the iceberg could disrupt local shipping. “A large iceberg makes it difficult for vessel traffic to get into some of those parts,” said Laura Sinclair Willis, Chief Executive of South Georgia.
A rare ice titan
While icebergs routinely calve from Antarctica, megabergs like A23a are rare. Most shatter into smaller pieces once they hit the open ocean, but this one has defied the odds for nearly four decades.
As it looms over South Georgia, scientists and wildlife experts are watching closely. Will it nourish life—or make things harder for local ecosystems? Either way, A23a’s final act is bound to be dramatic.
