World's largest iceberg breaks off from Antarctica
A massive iceberg, measuring around 4,320 square kilometers (1,668 square miles) in size, has broken off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The iceberg, dubbed A-74, is now floating in the Weddell Sea and is currently being monitored by scientists.
The iceberg, which is roughly the same size as the Spanish island of Majorca, was first spotted by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on February 26, 2021. Since then, the BAS has been tracking the movement of the iceberg using satellite imagery.
The Brunt Ice Shelf, where the iceberg broke off from, is located on the northwestern edge of Antarctica and has been monitored by the BAS since the 1950s. The shelf has experienced several major calving events in recent years, with A-74 being the largest iceberg to break off since 2017.
The breaking off of large icebergs from Antarctica is not unusual, but scientists are closely monitoring the situation as it could have an impact on ocean currents and sea levels. The movement of A-74 is being tracked to ensure it doesn't pose a risk to shipping routes or offshore infrastructure.
Images released by the BAS show the massive size of the iceberg, with one image showing it next to the Brunt Ice Shelf before it broke off. Another image shows the iceberg floating in the Weddell Sea.
The breaking off of A-74 serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of climate change on Antarctica and the need for continued monitoring and research in the region.
A massive iceberg, measuring around 4,320 square kilometers (1,668 square miles) in size, has broken off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The iceberg, dubbed A-74, is now floating in the Weddell Sea and is currently being monitored by scientists.
The iceberg, which is roughly the same size as the Spanish island of Majorca, was first spotted by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on February 26, 2021. Since then, the BAS has been tracking the movement of the iceberg using satellite imagery.
The Brunt Ice Shelf, where the iceberg broke off from, is located on the northwestern edge of Antarctica and has been monitored by the BAS since the 1950s. The shelf has experienced several major calving events in recent years, with A-74 being the largest iceberg to break off since 2017.
The breaking off of large icebergs from Antarctica is not unusual, but scientists are closely monitoring the situation as it could have an impact on ocean currents and sea levels. The movement of A-74 is being tracked to ensure it doesn't pose a risk to shipping routes or offshore infrastructure.
Images released by the BAS show the massive size of the iceberg, with one image showing it next to the Brunt Ice Shelf before it broke off. Another image shows the iceberg floating in the Weddell Sea.
The breaking off of A-74 serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of climate change on Antarctica and the need for continued monitoring and research in the region.
