21.04.2026, 10:03
The world's largest iceberg completes its history
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS The world's largest iceberg A23a, the fate of which scientists from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AAI) have been observing for the last 40 years, is ending its history. The ice giant split into small pieces, losing 99% of its area over the period of its life, the AANI said in a statement.
"Last year, iceberg A23a remained the largest in the world, but in September last year it lost this status. In January, the area of the iceberg was about 1300 square kilometers. By now, its area is less than 50 square kilometers. Now iceberg A23a continues to drift through clear water and splits literally before our eyes. Over the past three months, he has covered a distance of about 1,000 km," Polina Soloshchuk, chief specialist of the Center for Ice and Hydrometeorological Information of the AIA, said in a statement.
AANI recalls that in 1986 iceberg A23a broke off from the outer edge of the Filchner glacier shelf, located in Antarctica. At the time of its formation, its area was 4,170 square kilometers. For more than 30 years, it was stranded in the central part of the Weddell Sea, then began moving along the coastline of Antarctica, and by mid-November 2023 it was washed up.
After that, the iceberg drifted northward and approached the island of South Georgia by the beginning of 2025. 80 km away, the iceberg ran aground again, where it remained from January to May 2025. Then it continued its drift near the island, skirting it from the east side.
The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute is the world's leading scientific center for the study of the polar regions of the Earth. Conducts the entire cycle of work in high latitudes in the interests of the Russian Federation and commercial companies. It is a state operator for the organization and implementation of activities in the Arctic and Antarctic, and is part of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service.
"Last year, iceberg A23a remained the largest in the world, but in September last year it lost this status. In January, the area of the iceberg was about 1300 square kilometers. By now, its area is less than 50 square kilometers. Now iceberg A23a continues to drift through clear water and splits literally before our eyes. Over the past three months, he has covered a distance of about 1,000 km," Polina Soloshchuk, chief specialist of the Center for Ice and Hydrometeorological Information of the AIA, said in a statement.
AANI recalls that in 1986 iceberg A23a broke off from the outer edge of the Filchner glacier shelf, located in Antarctica. At the time of its formation, its area was 4,170 square kilometers. For more than 30 years, it was stranded in the central part of the Weddell Sea, then began moving along the coastline of Antarctica, and by mid-November 2023 it was washed up.
After that, the iceberg drifted northward and approached the island of South Georgia by the beginning of 2025. 80 km away, the iceberg ran aground again, where it remained from January to May 2025. Then it continued its drift near the island, skirting it from the east side.
The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute is the world's leading scientific center for the study of the polar regions of the Earth. Conducts the entire cycle of work in high latitudes in the interests of the Russian Federation and commercial companies. It is a state operator for the organization and implementation of activities in the Arctic and Antarctic, and is part of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service.
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