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The world's largest iceberg, A23a, is approaching South Georgia Island, and its collision could affect the region's ecosystem, including king penguins.
Iceberg A23a, which broke away from the Filchner-Rönne Ice Shelf, covers an area of 3672 square kilometers and weighs almost a trillion tons. It is 40 meters above the water, while much more is hidden below the surface. Scientists warn that this giant could block access to the sea for the king penguins, which live on the island in the number of about 450 pairs, which could endanger their reproduction and survival.
Physical oceanographer Andrew Meyers of the British Antarctic Survey emphasizes:
This phenomenon not only threatens wildlife, but also alters ocean currents due to the influx of large amounts of freshwater, affecting global ecosystems.
A23a is expected to reach South Georgia within two to four weeks. Depending on currents, the iceberg will either get stuck near the island or go around it. As noted by marine glaciologist Jan Lieser, the iceberg has already begun to break up, and winds, together with waves, contribute to its further disintegration. However, even small fragments can remain dangerous to shipping due to the difficulty in detecting them.
While A23a's impact on wildlife may be temporary, scientists are using the event as an opportunity to study changes in polar ice caps. With global warming accelerating the melting of glaciers, researchers warn that such events are causing sea levels to rise and pose a potential threat to planetary stability.
The post World's Largest Iceberg Threatens King Penguins on South Georgia appeared first on Curiosity.
