Antarctic Iceberg A-23A Turns Brilliant Blue, Nears Disintegration: NASA Warns

• Iceberg A-23A, one of the largest and longest-lived, has turned brilliant blue, signaling potential imminent breakup.
• The blue color is due to extensive meltwater pools forming on its surface, a result of nearly 40 years of drifting and mass loss.
• Dense ice absorbs red and yellow light but reflects blue, explaining the vivid blue appearance of the meltwater pools.
• Scientists are tracking A-23A to understand ice behavior in a warming climate, as meltwater influences breakup speed and sea level rise.
• NASA warns A-23A may disintegrate completely within weeks as it drifts into warmer waters, highlighting vulnerability to environmental change.

Why It Matters: Iceberg A-23A's blue transformation signals its imminent breakup, a stark reminder of climate change.