World’s Largest Iceberg is on the Move

What Does This Mean for Global Warming?

The global warming crisis has danced across headlines for weeks, months, and even years. Although international efforts have brought about some improvement and change, one key fact remains the same: the icebergs are still melting. Sources like Britannica share how melting icebergs affect water chemistry, level, and the overall Arctic structure. However, more recent articles, particularly one from CNN, claim that there is a more pressing matter regarding icebergs: the largest iceberg is moving, and it is moving fast.

The world’s biggest iceberg, named A23a, is two times the size of London. Originally, when the block first broke away from its ice shelf in 1986, it simply held on to the sea floor. However, as it has started to shrink, the iceberg has started to move too. The iceberg is moving roughly three miles a day eastward. The Associated Press shared further knowledge on how ocean currents are moving A23a– and encouraging it to pick up speed. 

Scientists will continue to monitor the movement of A23a and its course. Although the iceberg is simply expected to shrink and eventually collide with the northern Arctic peninsula, this event may mark the first of many. As temperatures continue to rise, chunks of ice will continue to break off or lose grip to the seafloor, causing them to shift aimlessly in the arctic circle. An article by AquaTech explained how some countries suggested the idea of harnessing these moving blocks of freshwater and distributing them to water–constrained areas. However, this idea has brought up multiple issues– more than just the mere fact that the icebergs would melt while being transported. Iceberg movement disrupts ocean chemistry and topography, as well as animal habitat. As we move forward with visionary ideas for solving the climate crisis, we must continue to be aware of the melting Arctic ice and monitor its condition.