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A MONSTER iceberg the size of LUXEMBOURG has broken off a glacier in Antarctica — prompting fears it could change the world's weather. The 2,500sq/km block — which holds enough water to fill the Thames 100 times — was dislodged by another iceberg that broke away 23 years ago. Researchers have expressed alarm that the vast iceberg will disrupt the world's ocean currents and climate.
The area around the glacier is a key zone for the creation of dense, salty water — known as bottom water — that plays an important part in global ocean circulation. Australian glaciologist Neal Young said that any disruption to the production of bottom water — which icebergs release — would affect ocean currents, and weather patterns.
He said: "This area accounts for about 25 per cent of the production of bottom water in Antarctica, and therefore it will reduce the overturning circulation rate. "You won't see it immediately, but it has downstream effects. And it will also have implications for penguins and other wildlife in the region that normally use this area for feeding." Mr Young said satellite imagery showed the new iceberg broke off the Mertz Tongue Glacier two weeks ago.