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February 21, 2025 - Iceberg A23A Approaching South Georgia Island
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The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite continued to monitor the long voyage of Iceberg A23A in February 2025, capturing this true-color image on February 20. At that time, the largest and oldest iceberg currently afloat remained drifting on a course carrying it slowly towards South Georgia Island.
The iceberg appears to have made little forward progress towards South Georgia Island since it was last featured as a MODIS Image of the Day on January 17, 2025. It also remains nearly the same size. According to data published on February 20 by the U.S. National Ice Center, A23A currently measures about 46 x 37 miles, giving it a surface area of about 1,702 square miles, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island. It is located roughly 150 miles away from South Georgia Island, which is nearly the same as the view published on January 17. The January Aqua MODIS true-color image and caption can be viewed by clicking here.
The position of the giant iceberg so close to South Georgia Island has raised concerns that the ‘berg may strike the island or ground itself on shallow ground close to the island. Either could negatively impact sensitive species such as penguins and seals that breed on South Georgia Island. While grounding appears to be at least a possibility, it is by no means a certainty. A23A remains in currents that could carry it around the island to the relatively warmer waters of the Southern Ocean, where it would be expected to melt. Scientists will continue to closely monitor the movement of this massive iceberg over the next several months.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 2/20/2025
Resolutions:
1km (122.3 KB), 500m (239.6 KB), 250m (723.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite continued to monitor the long voyage of Iceberg A23A in February 2025, capturing this true-color image on February 20. At that time, the largest and oldest iceberg currently afloat remained drifting on a course carrying it slowly towards South Georgia Island.
The iceberg appears to have made little forward progress towards South Georgia Island since it was last featured as a MODIS Image of the Day on January 17, 2025. It also remains nearly the same size. According to data published on February 20 by the U.S. National Ice Center, A23A currently measures about 46 x 37 miles, giving it a surface area of about 1,702 square miles, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island. It is located roughly 150 miles away from South Georgia Island, which is nearly the same as the view published on January 17. The January Aqua MODIS true-color image and caption can be viewed by clicking here.
The position of the giant iceberg so close to South Georgia Island has raised concerns that the ‘berg may strike the island or ground itself on shallow ground close to the island. Either could negatively impact sensitive species such as penguins and seals that breed on South Georgia Island. While grounding appears to be at least a possibility, it is by no means a certainty. A23A remains in currents that could carry it around the island to the relatively warmer waters of the Southern Ocean, where it would be expected to melt. Scientists will continue to closely monitor the movement of this massive iceberg over the next several months.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 2/20/2025
Resolutions:
1km (122.3 KB), 500m (239.6 KB), 250m (723.7 KB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
