A massive iceberg, named A-84, broke off from the George VI Ice Shelf in Antarctica on January 13, revealing a thriving ecosystem beneath it. The ice shelf’s detachment was discovered by researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor oceanographic research vessel.
The team arrived at the site on January 25 and observed the seafloor for eight days using a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian. They found a “beautiful, thriving ecosystem” supporting diverse marine life, including large corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopuses.
The researchers are surprised by the discovery of such a rich ecosystem beneath the ice shelf, as deep-sea ecosystems typically rely on nutrients from the surface. The team hypothesizes that ocean currents may be responsible for moving life-sustaining nutrients to the ecosystem.
Satellite images show the progression of the iceberg’s break from January through February 2025, highlighting the impacts of global warming on the Antarctic Peninsula ice sheet. This discovery provides critical data about the past behavior of the larger Antarctic ice sheet and its potential contribution to sea level rise.
The newly exposed seafloor has allowed scientists to gather data on the physical and chemical properties of the region using autonomous underwater vehicles called gliders. Preliminary findings indicate a strong meltwater flow from the George IV Ice Shelf, which is essential for understanding future changes in the region.
Source: https://abc7.com/post/antarctic-iceberg-size-chicago-breaks-off-reveals-thriving-undersea-ecosystem/16115972