ICEBERG2,401 km²

Iceberg A81

Latest position
Map: Iceberg A81

Iceberg A81 is at 55.1°S, 38.8°W as of October 15, 2026, with an area of about 2,401 km² (927 square miles), roughly 41 times the size of Manhattan. Antarctic icebergs are named by the U.S. National Ice Center for the quadrant where they broke away (A to D) and numbered in order. Since January 27, 2023 it has drifted about 4,280 km (2,659 mi).

Area2,401 km² · 927 mi²
Tracked sinceJan 27, 2023
Drift4,280 km
Position55.1°S 38.8°W
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Seen from space

Satellite picture, Satellite view · October 25, 2026
Satellite view · October 25, 2026

True color from the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA-20 satellite. The ring marks where the event was reported. Pictures: NASA Worldview (GIBS) from the daily satellite passes; clouds can hide the ground on some days.

Size over time

06721,3452,0172,689Jan 27, 2023Dec 5, 2024Oct 15, 2026Area (km²)

Where icebergs come from

The giant tabular icebergs around Antarctica break off the floating ice shelves at the edge of the ice sheet, a natural part of the shelves’ life cycle. Ocean currents carry them around the continent for years as they slowly melt and break apart; the National Ice Center tracks every one at least 10 nautical miles long.

Did you know?

The Titanic's iceberg. The iceberg that sank the Titanic in 1912 most likely came from Greenland's glaciers.

Data: U.S. National Ice Center via NASA EONET.

More: every iceberg page · all events

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