NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the massive iceberg A-23A on December 26, 2025. The berg was nearly twice the size of Rhode Island when it first detached from Antarctica's Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986 and has been one of the largest and longest-lived icebergs ever tracked by scientists.
However, over the past few decades, its massive size has shrunk dramatically as it has sopped up meltwater and is now on the verge of complete disintegration. The image shows that extensive pools of blue meltwater are visible on its surface. This phenomenon is likely caused by ongoing disintegration events, where the weight of water in cracks forces them open.
The striking linear patterns of blue and white across the berg are also visible in the MODIS image taken by NASA's Terra satellite. These patterns are a result of striations that were scoured hundreds of years ago when the ice was part of a glacier dragging across Antarctic bedrock.
According to scientists, the iceberg could be just days or weeks from disintegrating completely due to factors like warmer air and water temperatures in the region. The berg is currently riding currents that are pushing it toward even warmer waters, which will accelerate its disintegration process.
The demise of A-23A marks a bittersweet moment for scientists who have been tracking it throughout its long journey. While it's an event similar to many other Antarctic icebergs, the path of this particular berg has been remarkably long and eventful.
As the world bids farewell to A-23A, attention turns to other massive bergs waiting in the wings, some of which are even larger than 1,500 square kilometers.
However, over the past few decades, its massive size has shrunk dramatically as it has sopped up meltwater and is now on the verge of complete disintegration. The image shows that extensive pools of blue meltwater are visible on its surface. This phenomenon is likely caused by ongoing disintegration events, where the weight of water in cracks forces them open.
The striking linear patterns of blue and white across the berg are also visible in the MODIS image taken by NASA's Terra satellite. These patterns are a result of striations that were scoured hundreds of years ago when the ice was part of a glacier dragging across Antarctic bedrock.
According to scientists, the iceberg could be just days or weeks from disintegrating completely due to factors like warmer air and water temperatures in the region. The berg is currently riding currents that are pushing it toward even warmer waters, which will accelerate its disintegration process.
The demise of A-23A marks a bittersweet moment for scientists who have been tracking it throughout its long journey. While it's an event similar to many other Antarctic icebergs, the path of this particular berg has been remarkably long and eventful.
As the world bids farewell to A-23A, attention turns to other massive bergs waiting in the wings, some of which are even larger than 1,500 square kilometers.
! Think about it, scientists say it could break apart any day now and that's when the real trouble starts. Warmer waters will spread those meltwater pools all over the place, affecting ocean currents and who knows what else. We're basically playing with fire here 
. And what about all those massive bergs waiting in the wings? Just a bunch of ticking time bombs just waiting to unleash chaos on our planet 
!
i mean, an icebergs that's been around for decades just disintegrating like that? it's wild... and those patterns on the iceberg, whoa! like nature's own art show 
like our time on this earth is so fleeting and unpredictable... A-23A's story is a reminder that everything we think is solid and permanent can be swept away by the forces of nature 
. scientists tracking it all these years must've felt a sense of loss, knowing their record-breaker is coming to an end. but on the other hand, it's like they're gaining this new perspective on the cycle of life - birth, growth, decay... we can't hold onto anything for too long anyway 
. but at the same time its demise is kinda expected, we all know how these massive icebergs work... warm air & water temps = melt fest 
. anyway gotta say though, it's crazy to think about other massive bergs just waiting in the wings, some of which could be even bigger 
I'm so sad to see A-23A go! It's crazy to think it was twice the size of Rhode Island back in 1986 and now it's just days away from breaking apart 
. Scientists have been tracking it for so long and now they're just waiting for the inevitable 
.
The world needs to step up and deal with climate change ASAP before it's too late 
u guys won't believe it! that iceberg A-23A is literally dissolving before our eyes!!! 
but i'm over here thinking "next big thing, next big thing!" 
those massive bergs waiting in the wings are just gonna be even more EPIC!!! 
Anyway, these icebergs are just amazing, and I feel bad for the scientists who have been tracking this one since 1986. But at the same time, it's kinda cool to think about how our planet is changing with all the climate change stuff 
But seriously, can't we do something about climate change? Like, what's the point of tracking all these massive bergs if we're just gonna keep letting them melt? 
And those striations on the iceberg are so cool, I wish we could preserve that natural beauty or something... 
Or maybe it's just another example of how quickly things can change in our fragile ecosystem? 
But hey, there are always more bergs on the horizon, right? 
. I'm not surprised though, scientists were saying it was gonna happen sooner or later. But still, it's kinda sad to see it go, especially after being tracked for so long 
And the fact that some are even bigger than 1,500 square kilometers is mind-blowing 
. Anyway, I guess it's all part of the natural cycle now 
. But still, it's a shame to see A-23A go 
. now we just gotta wonder which other icebergs are gonna be next 
we need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet's ice caps before it's too late 
And those striations on the berg are crazy too, I mean hundreds of years ago it was all just one big glacier dragging across the bedrock... wow! 
