A81 covers1,340 sq km, about size of greater London

Two colossal icebergs on a journey through the South Atlantic and a remote island could be in their path. Scientists are closely tracking these frozen giants as they drift towards South Georgia, a wildlife-rich island where their arrival could also pose risks to marine life and vessels. Let's break it down. The larger of the two broke away from Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf in January 2023. It covers around 1,340 square kilometers in area, comparable to Greater London, for example. Its companion, meanwhile, carved from the Amery Ice Shelf in October 2022 and covers around 106 square kilometers. After drifting thousands of miles from Antarctica, both icebergs could become grounded on the shallow underwater shelves surrounding South Georgia. And scientists are saying the biggest threat may not come from the giant icebergs themselves. As they melt and break apart, they could also release smaller chunks of ice. Some the size of houses, by the way, others comparable to cars. These pieces basically can be difficult to spot even with radars. And this makes them a potential hazard for fishing as well as tourist vessels. However, experts say a direct collision with the island is unlikely. Strong ocean currents could carry the icebergs around South Georgia rather than into its shores. And satellites are helping scientists track their movements. If the icebergs do become trapped on the seabed, the consequences could extend far beyond shipping. And as they melt, they release minerals picked up from Antarctic bedrock. These nutrients can fuel the growth of tiny organisms that form the foundation of the marine food chain. And that could benefit parts of the local ecosystem. But a large iceberg lingering offshore could also alter water temperatures and ocean currents, disrupting conditions that local wildlife basically depend on. For now, scientists are watching the developments very closely as these two Antarctic giants continue their journey with their next moves holding potential consequences.