First aerial photos of London-sized A81 iceberg calved from Brunt Ice Shelf has been released by British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
The enormous iceberg A81, which is equivalent in size to Greater London, is expected to enter the Weddell Sea as it continues to be carried forward by powerful currents. Its dimensions are roughly 1550 square kilometers.
The footage was recorded by a team of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) who were en route from the Halley Research Station on the ice shelf.
"This was a calving we knew was coming. BAS has been monitoring the Brunt Ice Shelf and the chasms formed across it for over a decade. Since glaciologists first observed Chasm-1 widening in 2012, BAS science and operations teams have been anticipating the calving event," glaciologist Dr. Oliver Marsh, said in a statement.
As the strong Antarctic Coastal Current pounds the iceberg, it has rotated. Scientists will continue to keep an eye on A81's movements as it traverses the Weddell Sea and proceeds northwards to the South Atlantic basin.
Concerns have been raised by researchers, who warn that when the iceberg approaches shallower waters, it may pose a risk to local wildlife in South Georgia and the nearby Shag Rocks.
Professor Geraint Tarling said in a press release “An iceberg of this size will have a big impact on the ocean ecosystems which support the rich diversity of marine wildlife found in this Antarctic region. These impacts may be both positive and negative. On the positive side, as the iceberg melts, it will release a lot of nutrients. The negative side is that this same melting, at such a large scale, dumps lots of freshwater into the ocean which decreases salinity levels."