It is a juggernaut of ice that advances inexorably. The A23a iceberg and its approximately 3,500 km² are gradually moving northwards from Antarctica. Problem is, he should soon cross an island, South Georgia, a small British territory located in the south of the Atlantic Ocean.
This giant iceberg, one of the largest in the world, broke away from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986. After remaining static in the Weddell Sea for nearly thirty years, it set to drift from 2020 onwards, crumbling somewhat along the way, but still remaining as big as thirty-three times Paris.
Although scientists have been analyzing the trajectory of the iceberg for a long time, particularly using satellite images, it remains difficult to anticipate its movements. Driven by sea currents, winds and tides, the A23a is, according to the latest data, only 280 kilometers from South Georgia. The collision seems as inevitable as it is imminent and is likely to wreak havoc.
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-Threat to biodiversity
A true refuge for wildlife, this small island is far from being uninhabited. This unique ecosystem is home to, among other things, huge colonies of king penguins, elephant seals and fur seals. So many species that could be threatened by the collision with the giant iceberg.
Scientists particularly fear that the vast expanses of ice coming into contact could block access to the sea, thus preventing animals from feeding. Penguin chicks, still unable to swim, would be particularly vulnerable. In 2004, an iceberg called A38 had already run aground on the island's continental shelf, leaving penguin chicks and dead seal pups on the beaches, while huge chunks of ice blocked access to traditional areas. power supply.
The A23a could also split into large segments, which would then move uncontrollably for years. Enough to seriously disrupt fishing, an essential activity for the local communities on the island. The iceberg could also release significant quantities of fresh water into the ocean, disrupting the balance of the marine ecosystem. A real upheaval.
