World’s largest iceberg stuck near Antarctic island after 40-year journey
London: Iceberg A23a, the world’s biggest iceberg, has become stuck 73 km from a remote Antarctic island after drifting towards South Georgia since 2020. Measuring approximately 3,300 sq km and weighing nearly 1tn tonnes, its grounding has raised concerns about its potential impact on local wildlife, including penguins and seals.
According to The Guardian, which cited a research organisation, there were initial fears that the iceberg could collide with the island or run aground in shallow waters, making it difficult for animals to feed their young. However, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) oceanographer Andrew Meijers stated that if the iceberg remains in its current position, it is unlikely to ‘significantly affect the local wildlife.’
A23a, which calved from the Antarctic ice shelf in 1986, had remained stuck for decades before breaking free in 2020. Since late 2023, researchers have been tracking its movement via satellite. While a 19 km-long chunk broke off in January, the iceberg has not shown significant signs of disintegration along its current path.
Meijers noted that icebergs following this route through the Southern Ocean typically break up, disperse, and melt. However, concerns remain about the impact on South Georgia’s wildlife, as animals may be forced to travel further to reach feeding grounds, potentially increasing mortality among penguin chicks and seal pups.
Meanwhile, researchers have warned that a rise in global temperatures to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels could accelerate the melting of frozen water, leading to significant ocean level increases.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Youth Congress demands Pradhan's resignation over NEET question paper leak
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Youth Congress activists on Friday staged a protest here demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET question paper leak.
Holding posters, banners and party flags, the Youth Congress activists took out a protest rally in Bhubaneswar from the state Congress office to Master Canteen Square and burnt effigies of Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The education system has collapsed during the tenure of the BJP-led NDA government, Youth Congress leader Laxmipriya Nayak alleged.
During the past 12 years of Modi's rule, there have been 89 paper leaks and 48 examinations retested, she claimed.
"About 2 crore youths have been affected by the question paper leaks in the last 7-10 years. And, 24 lakh students have been affected by the recent NEET question paper leak incident," another protester, Shilpishree Harichandan, claimed.
"The Union government is playing with the future of the youths of the country. So, Pradhan has no moral right to continue in his position. He should step down," Harichandan said.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had cancelled the NEET-UG exam, held on May 3, after a paper leak. The Union education minister on Friday announced that the NEET-UG re-exam will be conducted on June 21.
