A massive iceberg broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, video footage released on Friday showed.

The massive ice structure, which was about the size of Greater London, broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/giant-iceberg-breaks-off-near-uk-antarctic-base-366538">Giant iceberg breaks off near UK Antarctic base</a>

The iceberg measured about 1,270 sq kms and got separated in a process called "calving".&nbsp;

It happened about a decade after scientists first observed huge cracks forming on the shelf.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-close-in-to-find-drilling-spot-of-antarctic-ice-core-15-mn-years-old-363387">Researchers close in to find drilling spot of Antarctic ice core 1.5 mn years old</a>

BAS Director Professor Dame Jane Francis said that the scientists were expecting calving after monitoring the area with GPS devices and satellite imagery on a regular basis.

"Our teams at BAS have been prepared for the calving of an iceberg from Brunt Ice Shelf for years," Francis said.

The iceberg is likely to either move away or run aground not far from the Brunt Ice Self, the director said.

A crack in the ice widened a lot early on Friday morning before the iceberg broke off entirely, news agency AFP reported.

Icebergs normally break off from Antarctica into the ocean in a process catalysed by climate change.

But, in this incident, there is "no evidence that climate change has played a significant role," BAS said.&nbsp; 
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A massive iceberg broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, video footage released on Friday showed. The massive ice structure, which was about the size of Greater London, broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

A massive iceberg broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, video footage released on Friday showed. The massive ice structure, which was about the size of Greater London, broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf, according to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Also read | Giant iceberg breaks off near UK Antarctic base The iceberg measured about 1,270 sq kms and got separated in a process called "calving". It happened about a decade after scientists first observed huge cracks forming on the shelf. Also read | Researchers close in to find drilling spot of Antarctic ice core 1.5 mn years old BAS Director Professor Dame Jane Francis said that the scientists were expecting calving after monitoring the area with GPS devices and satellite imagery on a regular basis. "Our teams at BAS have been prepared for the calving of an iceberg from Brunt Ice Shelf for years," Francis said. The iceberg is likely to either move away or run aground not far from the Brunt Ice Self, the director said. A crack in the ice widened a lot early on Friday morning before the iceberg broke off entirely, news agency AFP reported. Icebergs normally break off from Antarctica into the ocean in a process catalysed by climate change. But, in this incident, there is "no evidence that climate change has played a significant role," BAS said.

Iceberg about size of Greater London breaks off in Antarctica

A68 - the gigantic iceberg, which is also the world's largest is&nbsp;moving from Antarctica in the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of roughly 5,800 square kilometres and has been on its current course since 2017.&nbsp;

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The iceberg was pushed into the South Atlantic Ocean in 2017, and has been moving towards the remote island of South Georgia, triggering fears of&nbsp;the potential impact of the iceberg on the wildlife in the island. Usually, icebergs either get caught in shallow waters or end up grounding themselves.&nbsp;

What happens if the iceberg reaches South Georgia? 
 
A68A split off from the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica in July 2017. Ever since that happened, the iceberg has been moving towards a British Overseas Territory called South Georgia.

During its course, the big berg has birthed smaller icebergs, like the recently named A68E and A68F - which were pronounced large enough to carry names of their own, as verified by the US National Ice Center (USNIC), which is responsible for naming icebergs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/massive-iceberg-pivots-breaks-near-south-atlantic-penguin-colony-island-350885" hreflang="en">Massive iceberg pivots, breaks near south Atlantic penguin colony island</a> 
 
Many fear that if the iceberg settles permanently&nbsp;near the island, it could disrupt local wildlife which survives in the ocean. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are set to launch a mission to examine the potential effects of the iceberg on the ecosystem next month.

If the iceberg manages to get stuck near the island, local wildlife including penguins and seals would be forced to travel to farther off regions to fetch food. Scientists fear that for many animals this would sound the death knell for their offspring if they're unable to return on time.

Not all gloom doom

Not all is gloomy in this case. If the iceberg got stuck in the ocean, it could help fertilise ocean plankton, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/largest-remaining-chunk-of-worlds-biggest-iceberg-to-collide-with-land-348646" hreflang="en">Largest remaining chunk of world's biggest iceberg to collide with land</a>

It is normal for icebergs to break away and in the process produce smaller icebergs. Even though it may not always be a product of climate change, the degeneration of our climatic systems will cause more icebergs to break off. 
&nbsp;

A68 - the gigantic iceberg, which is also the world's largest is moving from Antarctica in the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of roughly 5,800 square kilometres and has been on its current course since 2017.

A68 - the gigantic iceberg, which is also the world's largest is moving from Antarctica in the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of roughly 5,800 square kilometres and has been on its current course since 2017. The iceberg was pushed into the South Atlantic Ocean in 2017, and has been moving towards the remote island of South Georgia, triggering fears of the potential impact of the iceberg on the wildlife in the island. Usually, icebergs either get caught in shallow waters or end up grounding themselves. What happens if the iceberg reaches South Georgia? A68A split off from the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica in July 2017. Ever since that happened, the iceberg has been moving towards a British Overseas Territory called South Georgia. During its course, the big berg has birthed smaller icebergs, like the recently named A68E and A68F - which were pronounced large enough to carry names of their own, as verified by the US National Ice Center (USNIC), which is responsible for naming icebergs. Also read: Massive iceberg pivots, breaks near south Atlantic penguin colony island Many fear that if the iceberg settles permanently near the island, it could disrupt local wildlife which survives in the ocean. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are set to launch a mission to examine the potential effects of the iceberg on the ecosystem next month. If the iceberg manages to get stuck near the island, local wildlife including penguins and seals would be forced to travel to farther off regions to fetch food. Scientists fear that for many animals this would sound the death knell for their offspring if they're unable to return on time. Not all gloom doom Not all is gloomy in this case. If the iceberg got stuck in the ocean, it could help fertilise ocean plankton, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Also read: Largest remaining chunk of world's biggest iceberg to collide with land It is normal for icebergs to break away and in the process produce smaller icebergs. Even though it may not always be a product of climate change, the degeneration of our climatic systems will cause more icebergs to break off.

Explainer: Where's the world's largest iceberg A68 headed, and should we be worried?

In Newfoundland, Canada, icebergs are a source of wonder to tourists and joy to merchants: more and more ice giants from Greenland are drifting to this island in eastern Canada. Some see it as a boon, others as a stark illustration of the accelerated melting of the Arctic.

'Iceberg Corridor' sparks economic boom on Canada's east coast

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