China's Fengyun-3D satellite has revealed that A23a, once Earth's largest iceberg, is entering its final act. True-color imagery from January 14 shows the icy behemoth has shrunk to just 506 km²—smaller than Singapore—down from 4,170 km² when it broke free from Antarctica in 1986.
❄️ Accelerating Collapse
Three weeks ago, A23a still spanned 948 km². 'Hydrofracturing'—where meltwater ponds literally rip icebergs apart—is turbocharging its demise. Satellite images show blue meltwater pooling at its center like nature's demolition crew. 🛰️
🔥 Climate Forces at Work
With Southern Hemisphere summer temperatures hitting 3°C+ seawater and clear skies accelerating melt, experts predict total disintegration within weeks. 'It’s a stark reminder of our changing planet,' says Zheng Zhaojun of China's National Satellite Meteorological Center.
📡 Tech Tracking the Crisis
China's Fengyun satellite constellation has monitored A23a's breakup since 2023, providing crucial climate data. As fragments drift north into warmer waters, scientists warn this could preview Antarctica's future.
