Iceberg Twice the Size of Jeju Island May Collide with South Atlantic Island... Concerns Over Mass Penguin Deaths

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The world's largest iceberg, more than twice the size of Jeju Island, is expected to collide with an island in the South Atlantic later this month. There are concerns that this could cause damage to the ecosystem.

According to the British BBC and others on the 10th (local time), the 'A68a' iceberg, which broke off from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 2017, has been confirmed to have approached to within just 150 km off the coast of South Georgia Island, a British territory in the South Atlantic.

When this iceberg broke off in 2017, its measured size was estimated to be the largest iceberg in the world, with a length of 93.4 miles (about 150 km) and a width of 28.7 miles (about 46 km).

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) recently took aerial photographs of the iceberg and judged that due to its enormous size, it is difficult to capture the entire iceberg in a single photo unless using satellite imagery.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The South Georgia Island authorities are closely monitoring the movement of this iceberg.

If the iceberg does not pass by the island but instead lodges along the coast, it could disrupt the feeding activities of animals inhabiting the island, such as penguins and seals. In fact, similar incidents occurred in 2003 and 2004, resulting in mass deaths of penguin and seal pups.

As the iceberg melts and breaks apart, it could also pose a threat to ships.

However, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) this year, the number of vessels operating near South Georgia Island has decreased, reducing these concerns.

The British Navy stated on the 8th, "If current sea conditions persist, A68a is expected to collide with South Georgia Island this month."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.