The iceberg first broke from Antarctica’s Larsen C Ice Shelf in July 2017. Since then, it has traveled thousands of miles, and on Monday, December 14, 2020, lay around 75 miles (120 km) from South Georgia Island. If it stays on its current path, the iceberg – which is about the same size as the island itself – could ground in the shallow waters offshore this month.
It is of interest that giant, island sized ice bergs like this one can float northwards for years and for the first time we know of, make it this far in one piece.
I'd guess that if it grounds to a halt in shallow water, the warmer (relatively) climate and sea currents will bust it up.
I hope they have good satellite/cellphone service in South Georgia. I can't wait to see the iceberg approach.
ReplyDeleteIcebergs have been recorded historically in the South Pacific. Of course, they were smaller (having melted) by the time they reached that point. This one is unusually large. It will take some time to melt.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a couple of small settlements on the north side and some abandoned whaling infrastructure, but it sure looks like an austere place. It will be interesting to see what actual effect this has. Apparently the thing steered clear of the smaller islands to the south, and maybe the currents will have the same effects here. Winds are mostly westerlies, so...
ReplyDelete64 summer residents. 32 winter residents. you have to wonder how those full year residents would cope in the real world.
DeleteSome would suggest those 32 residents are in the real world.
DeleteWhat if it hits South Georgia then sends it adrift hitting say Cyprus or Bali, it could cascade into a world wide disaster.
ReplyDeleteBet Hank Johnson is wondering that.
I asked my Congressman and he warned me that the island might tip over.
ReplyDeleteLMFAO
DeleteAs I always say when I see a story like this, my answer is, “so?”
ReplyDeleteHow many times has an iceberg about this size, say half that size to twice that size, hit that island in geological history? I’d bet it happens with some regularity.
That could make one helluva batch of strawberry daiquiris.
ReplyDeleteAlgore should use some of his $500,000,000 that he got from selling his worthless network to the Arab oil barons and haul the iceberg up to the equator to cool things off and cut down on all of the killer hurricanes that are being spawned by Gore Bull Worming. After all, "Itz Fo Da Chirrrenz!"
Put some sails on it, and let Greta sail it to her next speaking engagement
DeleteLooks to me like the puzzle pieces will fit & with a little force, they'll fit perfectly!!!
ReplyDeleteShackleton's men weren't still trapped down south if you mean Antarctica, they were left on Elephant island with no way of knowing if Shackleton and his small group chosen to get help made the near impossible journey to South Georgia island for help or if they would die on a small enclave that no one in the world (that was fighting WWI) knew they were on. Read the book "Endurance" if you want to know the painstaking details that would literally be unbelievable if it wasn't known to be completely true. For example did you know when he had to cross Georgia island's interior because they landed on the wrong side no one had ever done this? He had little to no equipment and was a year into being starved to death and frozen, 50 years later a well equipped team created just to cross the island had trouble. At one point to prevent getting caught on top of a ridge and freezing to death they just linked legs and went shooting down the hill like a human toboggan into an abyss that might have been a several hundred foot drop off to their death but lucked out. This is one of hundreds and hundreds of times during the voyage they should not have lived.
ReplyDeleteI read that book. An absolutely incredible tale....and you are right...would make a hell of a movie and it is all true! Such is the spirit of man to survive in adverse conditions!
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ReplyDeleteHank Johnson, D-Georgia would like to know if it could flip the island if it hits it? Its about the same size as Guam you know.
ReplyDeleteThat's unpossible! Glowball warmening means that that iceberg will melt any second now!
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