The world's largest iceberg, 4,000 kilometres square, is stuck and spinning around an ocean trap

Iceberg A23a, which covers almost 4,000 square kilometres, has been in an unusual state for months. It is spinning in place north of Antarctica instead of moving with the powerful Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Here's What We Know

This giant iceberg broke off the Antarctic coast back in 1986, but almost immediately became stuck in the Weddell Sea, where it spent more than thirty years immobile. It wasn't until 2020 that it began drifting again, heading north towards warmer waters. In early April this year, A23a finally reached the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which should have carried it into the open ocean, where it would have gradually melted. However, instead, the iceberg became trapped in turbulent currents north of the South Orkney Islands, where it continues to spin in place, making a full revolution in about 15 days.

Scientists believe that A23a could remain in this "jam" for many years. Iceberg A23a, weighing almost a trillion tonnes, is a significant phenomenon and its movement could have important implications for the marine ecosystem and shipping in the region.

Source: BBC