The world’s largest iceberg, known as A23a, is finally on the move after being stuck to the ocean floor for over 30 years. This massive iceberg broke away from the Antarctic coastline in 1986 but quickly became grounded in the Weddell Sea, essentially becoming an ice island. With an area of almost 4,000 sq km, it is more than twice the size of Greater London. Over the past year, it has started drifting at a fast pace and is now about to move beyond Antarctic waters.

A23a is not only impressive in size but also in thickness. It measures about 400m thick, compared to the height of the London Shard, which is only 310m tall. This iceberg was part of a large group of icebergs that broke away from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It was hosting a Soviet research station at the time, which shows how long ago it broke away. Despite an expedition being sent to remove equipment from the research station, A23a remained anchored to the ocean floor.

The reason why A23a is finally on the move after almost 40 years is still unclear. Some experts speculate that it may be due to changes in water temperatures, while others believe that it was simply a matter of time. Dr. Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, observed the first movement of A23a in 2020. In recent months, it has been driven by winds and currents and is now passing the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Once A23a enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it will be thrown towards the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley.” This is the same route that the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton used in 1916 to escape from Antarctica after his ship was crushed by sea ice. If A23a grounds at South Georgia, it could disrupt the normal foraging routes of seals, penguins, and other seabirds that breed on the island. However, it is important to note that icebergs play a crucial role in the environment. As they melt, they release mineral dust that provides nutrients for organisms at the base of the ocean food chain.

Scientists will closely monitor the progress of A23a and study its impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Despite the potential risks, icebergs are not just objects of danger but also contribute to the biological activity of the ocean.

Original news source: A23a: World’s biggest iceberg on the move after 30 years (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to write a summary of the article, highlighting the main points and key information. After they finish, have each group share their summary with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each group to come up with a question related to the article. It could be something like, “Do you think A23a will have a negative impact on the ecosystem?” or “Should measures be taken to prevent icebergs from drifting into certain areas?” Then, have each group conduct an opinion poll among the class, asking for their classmates’ opinions on the question. After gathering the results, have each group present their findings and lead a class discussion on the topic.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Give each student a blank piece of paper and ask them to draw a sketch or illustration related to the article. It could be a depiction of A23a, the Antarctic landscape, or any other relevant aspect. After they finish, have each student share their sketch with a partner or small group. Each student should explain their drawing and discuss the significance of their chosen subject in relation to the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into two teams. Call one student from each team to the front of the class. Show them a vocabulary word from the list (without letting the rest of the class see). The students must then draw a picture to represent the word while their team members try to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Continue with different students and words until all the vocabulary words have been used.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to work individually or in pairs and make predictions about what might happen next with A23a. They can consider factors such as its movement, impact on the ecosystem, or any other relevant aspect. After they finish, have each student or pair share their predictions with the class. Encourage them to support their predictions with evidence or reasoning from the article.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How long has the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, been stuck to the ocean floor?
2. How does the size of A23a compare to Greater London?
3. How thick is A23a compared to the height of the London Shard?
4. What was A23a originally a part of before breaking away?
5. Why is A23a finally on the move after almost 40 years?
6. Who observed the first movement of A23a in 2020?
7. What path will A23a take once it enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
8. How do icebergs contribute to the biological activity of the ocean?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The world’s largest iceberg, (1)______ as A23a, is finally on the move after being stuck to the ocean floor for over 30 years. This (2)______ iceberg (3)______ away from the Antarctic coastline in 1986 but quickly became grounded in the (4)______ Sea, essentially becoming an ice island. With an area of almost 4,000 sq km, it is more than twice the size of Greater London. Over the past year, it has started drifting at a fast pace and is now about to move beyond Antarctic waters.

A23a is not only impressive in size but also in thickness. It measures about 400m thick, compared to the height of the London Shard, which is only 310m tall. This iceberg was part of a large group of icebergs that broke away from the Filchner Ice Shelf in (5)______. It was (6)______ a Soviet research (7)______ at the time, which shows how long ago it broke away. Despite an (8)______ being sent to remove equipment from the research station, A23a remained anchored to the ocean floor.

The reason why A23a is finally on the move after almost 40 years is still unclear. Some experts speculate that it may be due to changes in water temperatures, while others believe that it was simply a matter of time. Dr. Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, observed the first (9)______ of A23a in 2020. In recent months, it has been driven by winds and currents and is now passing the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Once A23a enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it will be (10)______ towards the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley.” This is the same route that the famous explorer Sir Ernest (11)______ used in 1916 to escape from Antarctica after his ship was (12)______ by sea ice. If A23a grounds at South Georgia, it could disrupt the normal foraging routes of seals, penguins, and other (13)______ that breed on the island. However, it is important to note that icebergs play a crucial role in the (14)______. As they melt, they release (15)______ dust that provides nutrients for organisms at the base of the ocean food chain.

Scientists will closely monitor the progress of A23a and study its (16)______ on the surrounding ecosystem. Despite the potential risks, icebergs are not just objects of danger but also contribute to the biological activity of the ocean.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is an iceberg and how are they formed?
2. How would you feel if you saw an iceberg in person? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important for scientists to study the movement of icebergs? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever witnessed any extreme natural events? If so, how did it make you feel?
5. What do you think would happen if A23a grounds at South Georgia? How might it impact the ecosystem there?
6. Do you think it’s necessary to remove icebergs from certain areas to protect wildlife? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever experienced a change in temperature or climate in your area? How did it affect you and your surroundings?
8. What do you think would happen if all the icebergs melted? How might it impact the planet?
9. How do you think the movement of icebergs can affect ocean currents and weather patterns?
10. Do you think it’s possible for humans to prevent icebergs from breaking away and drifting? Why or why not?
11. What are some potential dangers or risks associated with icebergs?
12. How do you think icebergs contribute to the biodiversity of the ocean?
13. Have you ever seen any documentaries or movies about icebergs? If so, what did you learn from them?
14. Do you think it’s important for countries to cooperate in monitoring and studying icebergs? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the movement of icebergs can impact shipping and navigation in the ocean?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. iceberg
2. move
3. thick
4. temperatures
5. movement
6. currents
7. impact
8. ecosystem

Meanings:
(a) The degree or intensity of heat present
(b) A large mass of ice floating in water
(c) Change position or location
(d) A community of living organisms and their environment
(e) The act or process of changing position
(f) Having a large distance between opposite sides
(g) The effect or influence of one thing on another
(h) Continuous, flowing streams of water
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How long has the world’s largest iceberg been stuck to the ocean floor?
(a) 10 years
(b) 5 years
(c) 1 year
(d) Over 30 years

2. What is the size of the world’s largest iceberg?
(a) 1,000 sq km
(b) 500 sq km
(c) Almost 4,000 sq km
(d) 100 sq km

3. How thick is the world’s largest iceberg?
(a) 100m
(b) About 400m
(c) 50m
(d) 10m

4. Where did the world’s largest iceberg break away from?
(a) Antarctic coastline
(b) Arctic coastline
(c) Greenland coastline
(d) Canadian coastline

5. What caused the world’s largest iceberg to finally start moving?
(a) Changes in water temperatures
(b) Strong winds
(c) Human intervention
(d) Unclear reasons

6. What is the path that the world’s largest iceberg will take once it enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
(a) Arctic route
(b) Antarctic route
(c) Iceberg alley
(d) Oceanic highway

7. What potential impact could the world’s largest iceberg have if it grounds at South Georgia?
(a) Providing nutrients for organisms
(b) Disrupting normal foraging routes of animals
(c) Creating a new breeding ground for seals and penguins
(d) None of the above

8. How do icebergs contribute to the environment?
(a) They release mineral dust that provides nutrients for organisms
(b) They create habitats for marine animals
(c) They help regulate ocean temperatures
(d) They prevent sea level rise

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. A23a is about to move beyond Antarctic waters after drifting at a fast pace over the past year.
2. The world’s smallest iceberg, A23a, has been floating freely in the ocean for over 30 years.
3. A23a was part of a group of icebergs that broke away from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
4. The reason for A23a finally moving after almost 40 years is still unclear.
5. A23a measures about 100m thick, compared to the height of the London Shard, which is only 310m tall.
6. A23a broke away from the Arctic coastline in 1986 and became adrift in the Weddell Sea.
7. Once A23a enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it will be thrown towards the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley.”
8. A23a has an area of almost 400 sq km, which is less than half the size of Greater London.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How long has the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, been stuck to the ocean floor?
2. How does the size of A23a compare to Greater London?
3. What was A23a originally a part of before breaking away from the Filchner Ice Shelf?
4. What are some possible reasons why A23a is finally on the move after almost 40 years?
5. What potential impact could A23a have on the ecosystem once it enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. A23a has been stuck to the ocean floor for over 30 years.
2. A23a is more than twice the size of Greater London.
3. A23a is about 400m thick, compared to the height of the London Shard, which is only 310m tall.
4. A23a was originally a part of the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
5. The reason why A23a is finally on the move after almost 40 years is still unclear.
6. Dr. Andrew Fleming, a remote sensing expert from the British Antarctic Survey, observed the first movement of A23a in 2020.
7. Once A23a enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it will be thrown towards the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley.”
8. Icebergs contribute to the biological activity of the ocean by releasing mineral dust as they melt, which provides nutrients for organisms at the base of the ocean food chain.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) known
(2) massive
(3) broke
(4) Weddell
(5) Antarctica
(6) hosting
(7) station
(8) expedition
(9) movement
(10) thrown
(11) Shackleton
(12) crushed
(13) seabirds
(14) environment
(15) mineral
(16) impact
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. iceberg
Answer: (b) A large mass of ice floating in water

2. move
Answer: (c) Change position or location

3. thick
Answer: (f) Having a large distance between opposite sides

4. temperatures
Answer: (a) The degree or intensity of heat present

5. movement
Answer: (e) The act or process of changing position

6. currents
Answer: (h) Continuous, flowing streams of water

7. impact
Answer: (g) The effect or influence of one thing on another

8. ecosystem
Answer: (d) A community of living organisms and their environment
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How long has the world’s largest iceberg been stuck to the ocean floor?
Answer: (d) Over 30 years

2. What is the size of the world’s largest iceberg?
Answer: (c) Almost 4,000 sq km

3. How thick is the world’s largest iceberg?
Answer: (b) About 400m

4. Where did the world’s largest iceberg break away from?
Answer: (a) Antarctic coastline

5. What caused the world’s largest iceberg to finally start moving?
Answer: (d) Unclear reasons

6. What is the path that the world’s largest iceberg will take once it enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
Answer: (c) Iceberg alley

7. What potential impact could the world’s largest iceberg have if it grounds at South Georgia?
Answer: (b) Disrupting normal foraging routes of animals

8. How do icebergs contribute to the environment?
Answer: (a) They release mineral dust that provides nutrients for organisms
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. A23a is about to move beyond Antarctic waters after drifting at a fast pace over the past year. (Answer: True)
2. The world’s smallest iceberg, A23a, has been floating freely in the ocean for over 30 years. (Answer: False)
3. A23a was part of a group of icebergs that broke away from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica. (Answer: True)
4. The reason for A23a finally moving after almost 40 years is still unclear. (Answer: True)
5. A23a measures about 100m thick, compared to the height of the London Shard, which is only 310m tall. (Answer: False)
6. A23a broke away from the Arctic coastline in 1986 and became adrift in the Weddell Sea. (Answer: False)
7. Once A23a enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it will be thrown towards the South Atlantic on a path known as “iceberg alley.” (Answer: True)
8. A23a has an area of almost 400 sq km, which is less than half the size of Greater London. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧