The largest iceberg on Earth, A23a, which ran aground 30 years ago, began to actively move at a speed of more than 150 km per month along the coast of Antarctica.
The press service of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) reported that the movement of the largest iceberg on the planet A23a is now being closely monitored by experts from the Center for Ice and Hydrometeorological Information (CLGMI) of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. Previously, the Soviet Druzhnaya-1 seasonal scientific base was located on this iceberg. A23a began drifting at the onset of the Antarctic winter and is now moving into the Weddell Sea along the Antarctic coast. Scientists constantly monitor icebergs as they pose a potential threat to commercial and fishing boats.
According to the US National Ice Center nomenclature, the A23a area reaches approximately 4.17 thousand square meters. km, which is more than twice the area of St. Petersburg.
The AARI experts specified that many factors influence the future of the A23a iceberg: the impact of currents, the bulges of the underwater relief and meteorological factors. However, as a result, the days of the iceberg’s life are numbered: “it will be brought to” clean water “, most likely, already this year.”
Vera Sergeeva.
Photo: Pixabay.com
