World’s largest iceberg loses 67% of original size, overtaken by another iceberg

According to representatives from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), the A23a iceberg, which scientists have been monitoring for nearly 40 years, has lost 67% of its original size and has been overtaken as the world’s largest iceberg by D15A.

“Over the past three months, A23a has shrunk by 22% and ceded its position to D15A. The new leader covers an area of 3,071 sq km — twice the current size of A23a. D15A broke off from the ice shelf in January 2016 and is currently located near the coast of East Antarctica,” the institute said.

The AARI noted that A23a continues to drift in the open waters of the Southern Ocean.