However, A23a was later spotted drifting north back in 2020 after becoming unanchored from the seafloor.<\/p>\n
The mega iceberg would again find itself stuck once again earlier this year, after becoming trapped in vortex back in\u00a0spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n The vortex is known as a ‘ Taylor Column’ and occurs when rotating water traps an object in place, which meant 1,000,000,000 tonne chunk of ice spent several months spinning around aimlessly in the\u00a0freezing sea<\/a>.<\/p>\n But it would seem that A23a is nothing if not determined as the iceberg has now broken free again and is now back to drifting through the\u00a0Southern Ocean<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking about the update, which was confirmed by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on Friday, oceanographer Dr Andrew Meijers said: “It’s exciting to see A23a on the move again after periods of being stuck.<\/p>\n “We are interested to see if it will take the same route the other large icebergs that have calved off Antarctica have taken.”<\/p>\n Experts<\/a>\u00a0currently expect the iceberg will eventually drift into the Atlantic Ocean, however, there is no risk of A23a crashing into any passing vessels or nearby islands anytime soon as the warmer waters will cause the ice to melt.<\/p>\n Iceberg A23a is currently of interest to scientists and researchers due to its ability to influence the surrounding\u00a0eco-system<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/resize-1-1024x768.webp\")