How can melting at different depths cause an Arctic iceberg to capsize?

Arctic icebergs often experience capsizing due to differential melting rates occurring at various depths. As an iceberg drifts, the surrounding water temperature and salinity vary throughout the water column. Because these environmental factors influence how quickly the ice melts, the iceberg does not erode uniformly.12

When melting occurs at different rates across the iceberg's submerged and exposed surfaces, the berg's shape changes over time. This uneven loss of mass alters the iceberg's center of gravity and buoyancy, leading to a loss of stability. Once the iceberg reaches a point where its current orientation is no longer stable, it will shift or capsize to achieve a new position of equilibrium. Researchers often study the profiles of these capsized bergs to gain insights into the temperature variations present at different depths within the water column.12