Скачать или смотреть Spinning Free: Iceberg A23a Breaks Its 30-Year Grip in Antarctica

A massive iceberg, known as A23a, is making headlines as it begins an unpredictable spin in Antarctica after being stuck in the Weddell Sea for more than 30 years. As of early 2024, the iceberg has started rotating aimlessly at a rate of 15 degrees per day, marking a surprising turn in its decades-long journey.First calved from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986, A23a—a floating giant roughly the size of a city—remained grounded on the seafloor of the Weddell Sea for over three decades. It wasn’t until 2020 that it began to shift slightly, culminating in its newfound motion this year.According to a recent announcement from the British Antarctic Survey, A23a is now drifting across the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Scientists predict that the iceberg will continue its path along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current before eventually reaching the waters near South Georgia Island. There, warmer temperatures are expected to break it into smaller fragments, eventually leading to its complete melt.