Antarctic Iceberg Data
Tracking the largest Iceburg in the World
The vast, icy expanse of the Antarctic is home to some of the world's most impressive natural phenomena: colossal icebergs. While beautiful, these floating islands of ice can pose significant hazards to shipping and research vessels. This is where the crucial work of the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) comes into play.
The USNIC is dedicated to monitoring and documenting Antarctic icebergs, specifically those that meet a minimum size of 20 square nautical miles or have a longest axis of at least 10 nautical miles. Their efforts provide vital data for maritime safety and scientific understanding.
The information collected by the USNIC includes unique identifiers for each iceberg (like A23A or B09B), their dimensions, precise geographical coordinates, and their estimated area. This comprehensive data is made available in various formats, including PDF, CSV, and GIS shapefiles, allowing for easy access and integration into different applications.
A23A, the world's biggest iceberg, is melting due to warmer air and water.
As of July 11, 2025, the USNIC continues to track numerous icebergs, providing up-to-date information on their size and location. This ongoing monitoring ensures that mariners are aware of potential hazards and researchers have the necessary data to study these magnificent, yet powerful, natural wonders.
Website Description
U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) is the global entity that names, tracks, and documents Antarctic icebergs that meet the criteria of 20 sqNM or greater, or 10 NM on its longest axis.
https://usicecenter.gov/Products/AntarcIcebergs