World’s largest iceberg turning into ‘big swimming pool’ because it melts at file tempo
A massive iceberg the size of various major metropolitan cities is melting at an unprecedented rate as it transforms into a massive paddling pool in warmer temperatures
Iceberg A-23A (Image: NASA)
One of the world’s largest icebergs has effectively transformed into a massive swimming pool as it melts at a record pace. Satellite photos show meltwater on the surface of city-sized iceberg A-23A rapidly forming a giant pool as it melts in an unusual way.
The images reveal a raised rim of ice running around the entire cliff edge of the tabular Antarctic iceberg, giving it the appearance of an oversized children’s play pool.
The iceberg spans about 800 square kilometres – comparable in size to numerous massive metropolitan cities including Chicago in the US, Mexico City in Mexico and São Paulo in Brazil.
Douglas MacAyeal at the University of Chicago explained how the shape of the iceberg began to change as the iceberg began to melt. The professor explained: “My theory is that the edges are bent, nose‑down, creating an arch‑like dam on the top surface that keeps the meltwater inside.”
He added: “The bending is probably a combination of cliff-face undercutting by waves and melting, and the natural tendency for ice cliffs to bend over even if they would be perfectly vertical otherwise.”
Scientists at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute have said the iceberg has become 78% smaller than its original size. Experts believe in the last month A-23A has lost about 30% of its area.
Polina Soloshchuk, chief specialist of the Center for Ice and Hydrometeorological Information of the AAR said: “There is a possibility that the days of the iceberg are numbered, and very soon it will cease to exist.”
NASA has also explained how the weight of the water collecting on the iceberg has caused it to form what retired University of Maryland Baltimore County scientist Chris Shuman called a “blowout”.
NASA stated: “The white area to its left may be the result of what Shuman described as a ‘blowout.’ The weight of the water pooling at the top of the towering iceberg would have created enough pressure at the edges to punch through.
“The blowout may have allowed meltwater to spill tens of meters down to the ocean surface in what researchers call a ‘freshwater discharge plume,’ where it mixed with the mélange of ice bits floating next to the iceberg,”
Mr Shuman also said he does not expect the iceberg to last for another astral summer despite its immense size. The experts said: “I certainly don’t expect A-23A to last through the austral summer.
“A-23A faces the same fate as other Antarctic bergs, but its path has been remarkably long and eventful. It’s hard to believe it won’t be with us much longer.”
