How do wind and ocean currents influence an iceberg’s direction of travel?

An iceberg’s trajectory is primarily determined by the interaction between wind and ocean currents, alongside the influence of the Coriolis force.

• Wind and Current Drag: Icebergs are subject to frictional drag from the wind acting on their exposed surfaces and the drag of ocean currents acting on their submerged portions. Because currents often change direction with depth—a phenomenon known as the Ekman spiral—an iceberg’s movement is a complex result of these varying forces.1
• Coriolis Force: This force deflects an iceberg’s path to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Because icebergs have a large mass relative to their surface area, this deflection is typically more pronounced for them than for sea ice. Consequently, an iceberg’s motion relative to the surface wind is usually directed 40°–50° away from the wind direction.1
• Drift Speed: Icebergs generally progress at approximately 3 percent of the wind speed.1