This image shows: A23a on 15 November 2023. The world's largest iceberg has resumed its journey to oblivion after being tethered to the ocean floor for over 30 years. Known as A23a, the iceberg separated from the Antarctic coastline in 1986 but swiftly grounded in the Weddell Sea. Covering an expansive area of almost 4,000 sq km (1,500 sq miles), it is double the size of Greater London. A23a is not only impressive in width; its thickness is a formidable 400m (1,312 ft). To put this in perspective, Europe's tallest skyscraper, the Shard, stands at a mere 310m. Originating from a mass breakout of icebergs from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica, A23a was part of this monumental event. During that time, it played host to a Soviet research station. The Soviets responded by dispatching an expedition to retrieve equipment from the Druzhnaya 1 base, anticipating its potential loss. However, the tabular berg barely budged from the coast before sticking to the Weddell Sea floor. Typical of icebergs from the Weddell region, A23a is expected to end up in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This trajectory will direct it towards the South Atlantic along a route commonly referred to as "iceberg alley” - where it will travel until it melts in warmer waters. A23a briefly lost its title as the world's largest iceberg in 2021, but regained its record earlier this year when the previous record holder, A76, broke into three pieces. Where: Weddell Sea, Antarctica When: 23 Nov 2023 Credit: Copernicus Sentinel-3/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**