Massive iceberg breaks off Antarctica, third major calving in four years

A massive iceberg, spanning 380 square kilometers, recently detached from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. According to a European Space Agency (ESA) report on May 23, this marks the third significant calving event in the area over the past four years.

The first of these events occurred in 2021 with the detachment of iceberg A-74, followed by an even larger iceberg, A-81, in 2023. The latest iceberg separation was observed on May 20 by two Earth Observation satellites: the ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-1 and NASA’s Landsat 8.

### Cause of the May 20 Calving Event

The May 20 iceberg calving was triggered by the weakening of the ice at the McDonald Ice Rumples and the eastward expansion of the ‘Halloween Crack’ into the ice shelf. The report noted that this event was a result of long-term ice weakening and the gradual extension of the crack.

Continuous satellite monitoring of ice shelves is crucial for scientists to study the impacts of climate change in remote regions like Antarctica.

### Iceberg Designated as A-83

The newly formed iceberg has been designated A-83 by the US National Ice Center. The naming convention for Antarctic icebergs includes the Antarctic quadrant of the initial sighting, followed by a sequential number, and if the iceberg splits, a sequential letter.

Importantly, this iceberg poses no threat to the British Antarctic Survey’s Halley VI Research Station. The station, which remains on the Brunt Ice Shelf, was relocated to the Caird Coast in 2017 due to concerns over the stability of the outer ice shelf.