How do Antarctic icebergs drift after they calve?

After calving from Antarctic ice shelves, icebergs typically begin their journey moving westward within the Antarctic Coastal Current. During this phase, the Coriolis force deflects the iceberg to the left, which can cause it to run aground and remain stationary for years.1

If an iceberg breaks away from the coastal current, it enters the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (also known as the West Wind Drift). Within this eastward-flowing system, the iceberg’s trajectory is influenced by both wind and currents. The Coriolis force continues to push the berg northward, causing it to move in a northeasterly, "crabwise" direction. This movement eventually carries the icebergs into lower latitudes and warmer waters, where they typically disintegrate.1

In some cases, icebergs may be captured by cold eddies, allowing them to reach even lower latitudes. Throughout their drift, the speed and direction of an iceberg are governed by complex factors, including wind friction, current drag at varying depths, and the iceberg's large mass.1