The largest remaining chunk of the world's biggest iceberg&nbsp;that broke away from the Antarctic Peninsula two-and-a-half years ago could strike land this month, potentially making a mess of the waters of pristine South Georgia Island in the south Atlantic.

Scientists have spent weeks watching this climate-related event unfold, as the iceberg - about the same size as the island itself – has meandered and advanced over two years since breaking off from the Antarctic peninsula in July of 2017.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/royal-air-force-jet-captures-image-of-worlds-biggest-iceberg-347659">Royal Air Force jet captures image of world's biggest iceberg</a>

The peninsula is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, registering a record high temperature of 20.75 degrees Celsius (69.35 degrees Fahrenheit) on Feb. 9. The warming has scientists concerned about ice melt leading to higher sea levels worldwide.

<img alt="F" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9d854a-efc8-45ac-9775-12804b3f56fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_17.jpg" />

In picture:&nbsp;A satellite image of the A-68A iceberg (L) as it approaches South Georgia island (R) in the South Atlantic/Reuters

The gigantic iceberg, dubbed A68a,&nbsp;is on a path to collide with the South Georgia Island, a remote British overseas territory off South America. Whether that collision is days or weeks away is unclear, though, as the iceberg has sped up and slowed down with the ocean currents along the way, said Geraint Tarling, a biological oceanographer with the British Antarctic Survey who has been tracking the icy mass.

A collision is still uncertain, as the currents could carry the iceberg past the island, Tarling said.

"The currents around the island are complex, and it is still possible it may miss," Tarling said.

Images captured by a British Royal Air Force aircraft and released on Tuesday show the magnitude of the monstrous, 4,200-square-kilometer iceberg, its surface carved with tunnels, cracks and fissures. A number of smaller ice chunks can be seen floating nearby.

"The sheer size of the A68a iceberg means it is impossible to capture its entirety in one single shot," British officials said in a statement.

Scientists fear that the iceberg, in hitting the island, could crush marine life on the sea floor. Should it lodge at the island's flank, it could block penguins and seals off from their normal forage routes to feed their young.

A68a could also be an obstacle to government ships conducting fishery patrols and surveillance around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British officials said.

The largest remaining chunk of the world's biggest iceberg that broke away from the Antarctic Peninsula two-and-a-half years ago could strike land this month, potentially making a mess of the waters of pristine South Georgia Island in the south Atlantic.

The largest remaining chunk of the world's biggest iceberg that broke away from the Antarctic Peninsula two-and-a-half years ago could strike land this month, potentially making a mess of the waters of pristine South Georgia Island in the south Atlantic. Scientists have spent weeks watching this climate-related event unfold, as the iceberg - about the same size as the island itself – has meandered and advanced over two years since breaking off from the Antarctic peninsula in July of 2017. Also read: Royal Air Force jet captures image of world's biggest iceberg The peninsula is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, registering a record high temperature of 20.75 degrees Celsius (69.35 degrees Fahrenheit) on Feb. 9. The warming has scientists concerned about ice melt leading to higher sea levels worldwide. In picture: A satellite image of the A-68A iceberg (L) as it approaches South Georgia island (R) in the South Atlantic/Reuters The gigantic iceberg, dubbed A68a, is on a path to collide with the South Georgia Island, a remote British overseas territory off South America. Whether that collision is days or weeks away is unclear, though, as the iceberg has sped up and slowed down with the ocean currents along the way, said Geraint Tarling, a biological oceanographer with the British Antarctic Survey who has been tracking the icy mass. A collision is still uncertain, as the currents could carry the iceberg past the island, Tarling said. "The currents around the island are complex, and it is still possible it may miss," Tarling said. Images captured by a British Royal Air Force aircraft and released on Tuesday show the magnitude of the monstrous, 4,200-square-kilometer iceberg, its surface carved with tunnels, cracks and fissures. A number of smaller ice chunks can be seen floating nearby. "The sheer size of the A68a iceberg means it is impossible to capture its entirety in one single shot," British officials said in a statement. Scientists fear that the iceberg, in hitting the island, could crush marine life on the sea floor. Should it lodge at the island's flank, it could block penguins and seals off from their normal forage routes to feed their young. A68a could also be an obstacle to government ships conducting fishery patrols and surveillance around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British officials said.

Largest remaining chunk of world's biggest iceberg to collide with land

The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) has captured the images of the world's biggest iceberg as it approaches from the South Atlantic.&nbsp;

RAF's A400 flew low to observe the gigantic iceberg, named as A68a.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctic-peninsula-at-warmest-in-decades-study-says-332146#:~:text=The%20year%202020%20is%20the,including%20Argentina%2C%20Chile%20and%20Britain.">Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades, study says&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

The pictures show several cracks and fissures, many pieces of icy chunks that have fallen off and what seems like tunnels extending under the waterline.

<img alt="world's biggest iceberg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a3d0253-48ad-44cb-bb9e-03220661b0f9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_117.jpg" />

(Courtesy: COPERNICUS SENTINEL DATA (2020)/PIERRE MARKUSE)

<img alt="world's biggest iceberg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e0474c9-efbd-4a5e-a1a9-04ab87bf6c73" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_81.jpg" />

(Courtesy: BFSAI/CORPORAL PHILIP DYE)

Also read &nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/giant-iceberg-nearly-size-of-south-georgia-approaches-towards-same-island-340476">Giant iceberg nearly size of South Georgia approaches towards same island</a>

The massive iceberg is currently about 200 kms away from the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and there is a high probability that it gets stuck in shallow coastal waters.&nbsp;

The British Forces South Atlantic Island (BFSAI) reconnaissance flight dispatched to assess the current situation.&nbsp;

"Guided by satellite tracking, the A400M can get under the weather and closer to the iceberg, enabling more detailed observations," said Squadron Leader Michael Wilkinson, Officer Commanding 1312 Flt, in a BFSAI Facebook post.&nbsp;

"I know I speak on behalf of all of the crew involved when I say this is certainly a unique and unforgettable task to be involved in."

Satellite images seen in recent weeks have also shown that A68a's edges are crumbling promptly.&nbsp;

When A68a got separated from an ice shelf in Antarctica in July 2017, its area was about 6,000 sq km - nearly a quarter of the size of Wales.&nbsp;

Currently, it covers an area of 4,200 sq km, which is about the size of an English county like Somerset. 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) has captured the images of the world's biggest iceberg as it approaches from the South Atlantic. RAF's A400 flew low to observe the gigantic iceberg, named as A68a.

The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) has captured the images of the world's biggest iceberg as it approaches from the South Atlantic. RAF's A400 flew low to observe the gigantic iceberg, named as A68a. Also read | Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades, study says The pictures show several cracks and fissures, many pieces of icy chunks that have fallen off and what seems like tunnels extending under the waterline. (Courtesy: COPERNICUS SENTINEL DATA (2020)/PIERRE MARKUSE) (Courtesy: BFSAI/CORPORAL PHILIP DYE) Also read | Giant iceberg nearly size of South Georgia approaches towards same island The massive iceberg is currently about 200 kms away from the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and there is a high probability that it gets stuck in shallow coastal waters. The British Forces South Atlantic Island (BFSAI) reconnaissance flight dispatched to assess the current situation. "Guided by satellite tracking, the A400M can get under the weather and closer to the iceberg, enabling more detailed observations," said Squadron Leader Michael Wilkinson, Officer Commanding 1312 Flt, in a BFSAI Facebook post. "I know I speak on behalf of all of the crew involved when I say this is certainly a unique and unforgettable task to be involved in." Satellite images seen in recent weeks have also shown that A68a's edges are crumbling promptly. When A68a got separated from an ice shelf in Antarctica in July 2017, its area was about 6,000 sq km - nearly a quarter of the size of Wales. Currently, it covers an area of 4,200 sq km, which is about the size of an English county like Somerset.

Royal Air Force jet captures image of world's biggest iceberg

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Largest remaining chunk of world's biggest iceberg to collide with land

Royal Air Force jet captures image of world's biggest iceberg