The world’s most enormous iceberg, A23a, which is comparable in area (3672 sq. km.) to the US state of Rhode Island, has begun to break apart. According to experts, the iceberg has already shrunk to 1700 sq. km. and may completely break into smaller pieces in the coming weeks.
A23a broke away from the Filchner-Ronne Glacier in 1986 and remained stuck to the ice floor for more than 30 years. In recent years, it has been sliding towards the island of South Georgia, repeating the fate of previous giant icebergs, A68 and A76.
At the moment, the title of “largest iceberg” has passed to D15a, whose area is about 3000 sq. km. Scientists warn that global warming and changes in ocean currents are accelerating such processes, increasing the risk of rising sea levels.
