World's largest iceberg runs aground off remote island
The iceberg, which is about twice the size of Greater London, appears to be stuck and should start breaking up on the island's south-west shores.BBC repirted.
Fisherman fear they will be forced to battle with vast chunks of ice, and it could affect some macaroni penguins feeding in the area.
But scientists in Antarctica say that huge amounts of nutrients are locked inside the ice, and that as it melts, it could create an explosion of life in the ocean.
It's like dropping a nutrient bomb into the middle of an empty desert," says Prof Nadine Johnston from British Antarctic Survey.
Ecologist Mark Belchier who advises the South Georgia government said: "If it breaks up, the resulting icebergs are likely to present a hazard to vessels as they move in the local currents and could restrict vessels' access to local fishing grounds."
The stranding is the latest twist in an almost 40-year story that began when the mega chunk of ice broke off the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986.
We have tracked its route on satellite pictures since December when it finally broke free after being trapped in an ocean vortex.
As it moved north through warmer waters nicknamed iceberg alley, it remained remarkably intact. For a few days, it even appeared to spin on the spot, before speeding up in mid-February travelling at about 20 miles (30km) a day.
The future of all icebergs is that they will die. It's very surprising to see that A23a has lasted this long and only lost about a quarter of its area," said Prof Huw Griffiths, speaking to BBC News from the Sir David Attenborough polar research ship currently in Antarctica.
On Saturday the 300m tall ice colossus struck the shallow continental shelf about 50 miles (80km) from land and now appears to be firmly lodged.
"It's probably going to stay more or less where it is, until chunks break off," says Prof Andrew Meijers from British Antarctic Survey.
