World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Spins in Southern Ocean: A Scientific Marvel Unveiled

For several months, the world’s largest iceberg has been circulating in the same place in the Southern Ocean.
And there it can spin for a long time to come.
– This has never happened before, said Les Watling, professor emeritus of life sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The large colossus is estimated to be 3,672 square kilometers. More than twice the size of London.

The A23a iceberg has fascinated scientists since its inception Filchner-Rønne Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

Now he is caught in a rotating vortex, reports CNN.

“surprise”

A few months ago, the currents caused the mountain to rotate about 15 degrees a day. And there may be more rotation for the already spinning iceberg.

According to Alexander Brearley, a physical oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, it could be several years.

– I think we are surprised that he has stayed as long as he has. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see, he says.

– This has never happened before, says Les Watling, professor emeritus of life sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

There is no risk of sea level rise

according to British Antarctic Survey Melting A23a slowly, but will not cause sea levels to rise.

– I don’t think we should worry about this particular event. But in general we should be interested in icebergs. An understanding of the numbers, where they come from and ultimately what it means to the ice is based on the land behind them, Alasdair Brearley says.

The discovery was made using satellite imagery. The mountain moves so slowly that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.