Two large icebergs break away in Antarctica

Winter staff at Scott Base in Antarctica got a once-in-a-lifetime chance when they watched two icebergs up to 20km long break away from an iceshelf.

Two large icebergs were now floating in McMurdo Sound, only a few kilometres from Scott Base - one 20km long by 5km wide, the other 16km long by 8km wide - and staff were able to watch the whole thing happen.

"Scott Base staff have been closely monitoring this ice breakout which is the largest for some time and we have been enjoying the spectacle," Scott Base winter leader Troy Beaumont said.

A large storm which recently struck Scott Base was thought to have contributed to the ice break out.

- NZPA