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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Three killed, one injured in head-on truck collision in Karnataka's Mudhol
Bagalkote (Karnataka) (PTI): Three people were killed and one person seriously injured in a head-on collision between two trucks in this district, police said on Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as Mallikarjun (22), Revanasiddappa (20), and Suresh (33), while the injured has been named Ramesh (22), police said.
The accident occurred on the night of Tuesday and Wednesday near Bantanur Cross in Mudhol taluk, when a bulk carrier transporting cement collided with another truck, causing one of the vehicles to be crushed under the impact.
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The collision forced the bulk carrier to topple and become mangled, police said.
Two of the truck’s occupants—the driver and his helper—died on the spot, along with the driver of the cement-laden bulk carrier, Bagalkote Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal said.
Police, with the help of a JCB, removed the damaged vehicle to rescue the trapped occupants.
The lone survivor, who sustained grievous injuries, was shifted to a hospital for treatment and is under observation, police added, noting that further investigation is underway.
