Iceberg A-74

Its calving had been anticipated due to large ice rifts that opened up in September 2019 and spread in the Antarctic summer of 2020–21.

The Polarstern has photographed the sea bed which has provided an insight into fauna that can survive up to 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the nearest daylight.

[3] GPS equipment belonging to the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) first reported that the iceberg had calved on 26 February.

[8] On the weekend of 13–14 March 2021 the German Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research vessel Polarstern completed a circumnavigation of the iceberg.

[5] As the iceberg moves offshore parts of the seabed and water column are being exposed to sunlight, wind and temperature changes for the first time in 50 years.

The study shows that a good supply of food, carried by ocean currents, can reach areas located even 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the nearest daylight.

[6] It is hoped that the Polarstern can return to study the seafloor at regular intervals to document changes to the ecosystem caused by the calving.