An iceberg named A-83, 380 sq km in size, broke off the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica on May 20.
"This calving event results from a prolonged weakening of the ice at the McDonald Ice Rumples and progressive eastward extension of the so-called ‘Halloween Crack’ into the ice shelf."
In 2021, the Brunt Ice Shelf produced an iceberg called A-74 followed by an even bigger berg, named A-81, in 2023.
Names for icebergs larger than 10 nautical miles (on the longest axis) start with the letter A, B, C or D followed by a sequentially assigned number, e.g., A-83.
The letter is based on the Antarctic quadrant where an iceberg originates, as shown in the graphic below -
A = 0-90W (Bellingshausen/Weddell Sea)
B = 90W-180 (Amundsen/Eastern Ross Sea)
C = 180-90E (Western Ross Sea/Wilkesland)
D = 90E-0 (Amery/Eastern Weddell Sea)
Although the calvings in this area are not thought to be directly linked to climate change, NASA states that "the Brunt Ice Shelf is feeling the same pressures as elsewhere around Antarctica, including low sea ice conditions. When less sea ice is present, ice shelves are more exposed to destabilizing wind and wave action."
In the waters around Antarctica, ice coverage in Feb. 2024 shrank to near-historic lows for the third year in a row.