Scientists have discovered massive ancient icebergs in the North Sea that date back around 18,000 years. These enormous bergs, estimated to be as wide as a mid-sized British city and several hundred meters thick, provide valuable insights into Earth’s ancient climate.
The discovery was made by researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, led by James Kirkham, who found preserved scour marks on the seabed through seismic survey data. The scour marks suggest that these massive icebergs were formed when large chunks of ice broke off from ice shelves in northern Europe during the last Ice Age.
The recent study adds to the growing evidence that the North Sea region once had ice shelves similar to those found in Antarctica today. Tabular icebergs, which are large and flat-topped, continue to break off from Antarctica’s ice shelves, offering clues about how they behave in response to changes in temperature.
The discovery raises important questions about the future of Antarctica’s ice shelves. While some scientists believe that large calving events may be a sign of impending collapse, others argue that it’s the gradual disintegration of ice shelves over time that poses a greater threat.
According to Emma MacKie from the University of Florida, the size of tabular icebergs has remained relatively stable in satellite data since the 1970s. “Ice shelves disintegrate via death by a thousand cuts,” she notes. “We should be concerned when we stop seeing large calving events.” The gradual collapse of ice shelves through smaller calving events over time may be a more significant threat than occasional mega-berg break-offs, leading to a rise in sea levels.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/04/18000-year-old-icebergs-carved-deep-grooves-in-the-north-sea