‘Incredibly lucky’: Antarctic scientists examine world’s largest iceberg, three times the size of NYC

Samples have been taken of huge iceberg known as A23a, which calved off Antarctica 40 years ago and measures 4,000 sq km

Antarctic scientists have been able to get an “incredibly lucky” inspection of the world’s largest iceberg – about three times the size of New York City – which calved off the icy continent nearly 40 years ago.

The huge iceberg, known as A23a, was once attached to an ice shelf in West Antarctica, south of Chile, but separated in 1986. Since then, the iceberg has been stranded in the Weddell Sea, stuck to the ocean floor.