The largest iceberg on the planet has now drifted away and poses a risk of crashing into a small island in the southern Atlantic, which could impact the local wildlife, scientists indicated this week.

This iceberg, named A23a, covers 1,400 square miles and had been anchored to the ocean floor near Antarctica for 37 years after breaking off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986.

However, it began to move again last year and is currently heading toward South Georgia Island, which is primarily inhabited by penguins and seals.

What’s New About the Iceberg’s Movement?

The iceberg had been circulating in a rotating water body close to the South Orkney Islands since last April, according to Andrew Meijers from the British Antarctic Survey. “It has now detached from this water movement and is moving northeast with the Antarctic circumpolar current – likely bringing it very near or in contact with South Georgia Island,” he explained.

Is South Georgia Island in Immediate Danger from the Iceberg?

“Using the word ‘sudden’ isn’t quite accurate for something we’ve been monitoring for nearly 40 years, which is now gliding at about half a mile per hour,” Meijers shared with YSL News in an email on Tuesday. “However, its recent trajectory indicates it is caught in a swift ocean current – similar to an atmospheric jet stream – that will likely steer it toward the island in the upcoming weeks.”

When Could It Reach the Island?

The iceberg is expected to approach the island within two to four weeks, depending on the ocean currents and its course, Meijers noted. It may navigate the currents around the island’s continental shelf and not make landfall, as another large iceberg did previously, or it could end up in the shallow waters near the shelf, similar to an incident from 2004.

“It is nearly impossible to predict which outcome is more likely or if the iceberg will break apart before reaching its destination,” he said.

South Georgia Island is Located in ‘Iceberg Alley’

Icebergs frequently pose a threat to the British territory of South Georgia Island since it is situated near the Southern Hemisphere’s “Iceberg Alley.” (This should not be confused with the Northern Hemisphere’s Iceberg Alley, which is located by Labrador and Newfoundland in Canada.)

According to the National Science Foundation, Antarctica is surrounded by a strong counterclockwise ocean current.

“Icebergs drift in this current encircling the continent until reaching the Antarctic Peninsula, a long projection towards Chile. In the Scotia Sea, located between Chile and Antarctica, they are pushed northward where they begin to melt. Researchers refer to this region as Iceberg Alley,” the foundation explained.

Are There Risks to Humans or Wildlife?

The local populations of seals and penguins on South Georgia Island might face threats should the iceberg ground itself nearby, Meijers cautioned. “This could disrupt their routes to feeding grounds and require adult animals to use more energy navigating around it. This may decrease the amount of food available for nurturing their young and could lead to higher mortality rates.”

“This scenario occurred back in 2004, although we cannot predict if this iceberg will ground or not, as more recent instances have navigated around the island.”

In terms of human impacts, “although the iceberg is substantial, Southern Ocean shipping operators can easily avoid it, as they are well-informed about the dangers posed by icebergs and the current location of A23a,” he said. “However, as it diminishes over time, tracking the smaller pieces becomes increasingly difficult. Conversations with fishing operators indicate that similar large icebergs in the past have rendered certain areas temporarily off-limits for fishing due to a number of smaller – yet often more hazardous – icebergs.”