Giant iceberg set for disastrous collision
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Scientists are saying that a collision of the world’s biggest iceberg with the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia, is almost inevitable, putting the local wildlife at risk
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Sea floor depth (metres)
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
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A68a
Position on December 8
150km
SOUTH GEORGIA
Grytviken
Dubbed A68a, iceberg is 4,200sq km in size and only 50km distant from south shelf edge

30km 20 miles
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ARGENTINA CHILE
500km 300 miles
SOUTHERN OCEAN
Larsen C Ice Shelf
ANTARCTICA
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

South Georgia Island
Dec 2020
Nov 2020 
Oct 2020
Sep 2020 
Apr 2020
Feb 2020
Nov 2019 
Feb 2019
Jul 2017: Iceberg calves off ice shelf

With draft of around 200m, scientists fear A68a could ground itself off island, blocking vital foraging routes for seals and penguins

King penguins on South Georgia
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Sources: British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Copernicus Sentinel data, ESA, BBC, Reuters
Pictures: PT Fretwell et al. BBC, Antarctic Science 2009, Newscom © GRAPHIC NEWS