World's Largest Iceberg Enters Rapid Breakup Phase

Iceberg A-23A collapses after 40 years adrift, and scientists anticipate its imminent total disappearance.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After four decades adrift, the world's largest iceberg, A-23A, has entered a rapid breakup phase, signaling the imminent end of this long-lived Antarctic giant. Satellite imagery has revealed a pattern of instability and internal failure, with the iceberg's area shrinking from 1,544 square miles in 1986 to just 456 square miles in early 2026. Scientists expect A-23A to fully disintegrate in the coming days or weeks.

Why it matters

The collapse of A-23A will erase one of the most closely tracked ice features on record, providing valuable data for scientists studying iceberg behavior and the impacts of climate change on polar regions. The breakup of such a massive iceberg can also affect shipping lanes and local wildlife.

The details

A-23A has been closely monitored by scientists since it first broke off from Antarctica in 1986. The iceberg was initially about 1,544 square miles in size, but has steadily shrunk over the decades. In 2020, it broke free from the shallow seafloor ridges that had previously anchored it in place, allowing it to enter a busier corridor of currents and storms. This led to increased erosion and the formation of cracks and surface pools, which have now triggered the iceberg's rapid internal failure.

  • A-23A first broke off from Antarctica in 1986.
  • By early January 2026, the iceberg's area had fallen to 456 square miles.
  • In 2020, the iceberg broke free from the seafloor ridges that had previously anchored it in place.
  • In 2025, the iceberg almost collided with South Georgia Island and lodged in shallow water for months before moving again.
  • The rapid breakup phase began in early 2026, with scientists expecting the iceberg to fully disintegrate in the coming days or weeks.

The players

Chris Shuman

A scientist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County who has been closely tracking the evolution of Iceberg A-23A.

Iceberg A-23A

The world's largest iceberg, which has been adrift in the Southern Ocean for over 40 years.

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What they’re saying

“I certainly don't expect A-23A to last through the austral summer.”

— Chris Shuman (earth.com)

What’s next

Scientists will continue to monitor the breakup of Iceberg A-23A using satellite imagery, and the data collected will help improve models for forecasting the behavior of large icebergs.

The takeaway

The rapid disintegration of the world's largest iceberg, A-23A, is a stark reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the polar regions, and the importance of ongoing scientific observation and monitoring to understand the impacts of climate change on these fragile environments.