Megaberg breaks away, heads for remote South Atlantic wildlife haven

The "queen of icebergs" is set to hit remote islands in the South Atlantic which is home to millions of animals.

Live Science reported the iceberg, known as A23a, has a surface area of 1967km making it the largest in the world. As of January 16, the megaberg was roughly 290km away from the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, sanctuaries for large colonies of penguins, seals, breeding birds and other wildlife.

A23a first broke off from its ice shelf in 1986 and remained with its seabed for 30 years before beginning to journey north towards the British Overseas Territory.

Marine ecologist Mark Belchier told the BBC, "South Georgia sits in iceberg alley so impacts are to be expected for both fisheries and wildlife, and both have a great capacity to adapt."

However, collisions can still be catastrophic reported Live Science, as in 2004 an iceberg called A38 grounded on South Geogia's continental shelf, blocking feeding grounds for seals and penguins resulting in many of their chicks and pips to die.

"Icebergs are inherently dangerous," sea captain Simon Wallace who was stationed in South Georgia told the BBC. "I would be extraordinarily happy if it just completely missed us."

A23a is forecasted to enter ocean currents in the Drakes Passage where it could break apart any day.