Description

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Context:

A23a, the largest iceberg in the world, was set afloat recently on its journey in the South Atlantic after having been freed from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

About A23a

Aspect	Details
Shape	Tooth-shaped
Size	Over double the size of Greater London.
Weight	Carries one trillion tonnes of freshwater.
Location	Drifting between Elephant Island and South Orkney Islands.
Origin	Originated in 1986.
Significance	World’s oldest and largest iceberg.
Path	Follows a natural path, similar to other massive icebergs.
Anticipated Breakup	Expected break as it enters the Southern Ocean due to warmer waters and larger waves.
Expedition Plan Changes	Altered plans due to a bird flu outbreak on South Georgia Island.

Consequences

The melting of A23a does not contribute to an increase in the global sea level because it is already floating. His long -term stay in this faith could affect marine life in this area, especially plankton and other organisms in the food chain.

The situation also provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study how such large glaciers behave in the ocean.

What is the iceberg?

A glacier is a large piece of freshwater ice, which has torn from glaciers or ice with a shelf and floated in open water. In order to be qualified as a glacier, the ice height must be more than 16 feet above sea level the thickness must be 98-164 feet and the ice must cover an area of at least 5,382 square feet.

READ ABOUT

A23a iceberg UPSC

Source:

ECONOMIC TIMES

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. A23a, the world's oldest and largest iceberg, is drifting between which of the following locations?

(a) Elephant Island and South Orkney Islands

(b) Greenland and Iceland

(d) Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea

Answer: a

Explanation:

A23a is the world's oldest and largest iceberg, drifting between Elephant Island and the South Orkney Islands. Originating in 1986, it carries one trillion tonnes of freshwater. Though its melting doesn't raise sea levels, it could affect marine life. Its path is expected to break due to warmer waters and larger waves.