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.
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AIMPLB condemns Pahalgam attack, halts Waqf Act protests for three days
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, and announced a temporary suspension of its protests against the recent amendments to the Waqf Act.
The attack, which took place at a prominent tourist destination in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday, left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead and several others injured.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the AIMPLB expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and declared a three-day pause in its ongoing protest programmes, starting April 23.
SQR Ilyas, national convener of the Majlis-e-Amal for the Protection of Waqf under the AIMPLB, called the Pahalgam attack “deeply tragic and strongly condemnable”.
He said the decision to halt the protest was taken as a mark of mourning and support for the bereaved families. A circular has been issued to all state and district conveners of the campaign, directing an immediate halt to all protest-related activities during the period of mourning.
Ilyas clarified that the campaign against the "controversial amendments" to the Waqf Act will resume after the three-day suspension.
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