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The world’s largest iceberg, known as A68a, is collapsing on its way to the island of South Georgia.
Satellite images showed the first cracks along the ice, and on December 21, two new smaller icebergs formed from the rupture of the original A68a iceberg.
The two new icebergs, named A68e and A68f, are 33 and 14 square nautical miles, respectively.
Scientists are monitoring the course of the world’s largest iceberg to see if it rests in shallow water, which could cause problems for the island’s penguins and seals in search of food.
Adrian Luckman of the University of Swansea in the UK told the BBC: “Almost 3.5 years after leaving the Larsen C ice shelf, the A68a iceberg is gradually dissolving».
On December 18, a large chunk of ice broke away from the iceberg, which is similar in size to the state of Delaware.
Scientists believe the 70-square-mile section was severed when its solid, icy structure collided with the island’s continental shelf. “creating a new mountain“According to Gizmodo. Satellite images from December 18 show the smallest iceberg located to the northwest over the original.
Scientists tracking the iceberg’s satellite warn that A68a, propelled by a strong circular current, could reach South Georgia in a matter of days.
The A68a is a wildlife hazard as it can crush marine life in the island’s ocean and make the waters inhospitable by releasing fresh water.
The iceberg could also get stuck on the island, blocking access to the water and causing a shock to penguins who have to feed their young.
The sea around the island is also home to colonies of seals and whales, as well as some of the most sustainable catches in the world.
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