The world’s largest iceberg, measuring roughly 1,500 square miles and weighing one trillion metric tons, has broken free from the site where it had been grounded for more than three decades and is now rapidly headed toward the Southern Ocean thanks to high winds and strong ocean currents, Reuters reports.
Created in 1986 after splitting from West Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, the berg, which scientists believe regained buoyancy after significant melting, seems to be headed toward a current of ocean water known as “iceberg alley” where it will move north.
Known as A23, the iceberg could possibly re-ground itself near South Georgia Island, which would block access to the island for the myriad aquatic life like penguins, seals and seabirds that migrate to the island to forage and mate.