巨人的終章
For almost 40 years, the massive iceberg A23a was one of the most impressive features of the Southern Ocean.
近40年來，巨大的冰山A23a一直是南大洋最令人驚嘆的景象之一。
massive(adj.)巨大的impressive(adj.)予人深刻印象的impressed(adj.)(人)感到印象深刻的feature(n.)特色;特點;特徵distinguishing feature明顯的特點
First breaking off from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986, it was slightly bigger than Rhode Island and weighed nearly a trillion tons.
它於1986年從南極的菲爾希納-龍尼冰棚崩落，面積略大於羅德島，重量接近一兆噸。
break off(從…)處折斷、停頓、中斷ice shelf冰棚
Scientists have followed its journey closely, fascinated by its enormous size and persistence.
科學家一直密切追蹤它的旅程，對它的巨大體積和持久性感到著迷。
follow sth. closely密切追蹤keep track of追蹤fascinate(v.)迷住;使神魂顛倒;強烈地吸引enormous(adj.)巨大的=colossal=giganticpersistence(n.)持久、堅持不懈
Occasionally, bigger icebergs surpassed it, but none stayed together for long.
偶爾有更大的冰山超越它，但沒有哪一個能維持完整太久。
occasionally(adv.)偶爾=once in a while=from time to timesurpass(v.)超越=exceed
In recent weeks, satellite images revealed that A23a is rapidly breaking apart.
根據衛星影像顯示，近日A23a正快速崩解。
reveal(v.)顯示、揭露
Warm water and massive waves are hitting its base, causing huge chunks to detach.
溫暖的海水與巨浪拍打冰山底部，使巨大冰塊脫落。
base(n.)底部、根基detach(v.)分離、脫落
Scientists say most icebergs don’t last this long, but A23a’s sheer size allowed it to survive longer and travel farther than others.
科學家表示，大多數冰山撐不了這麼久，但A23a體積龐大，使它能比其他冰山維持更久、漂得更遠。
last(v.)持續sheer(adj.)極大的
Still, once an iceberg leaves Antarctica’s icy waters, its fate is sealed.
然而，一旦冰山離開南極的冰冷海域，其命運已定。
once(prep.)一旦=as soon asseal one’s fate決定～的命運、註定～的結局
Smaller fragments litter the surrounding ocean, and the once mighty megaberg may disappear completely in just a few weeks.
較小的冰塊散佈在周圍海域，這座曾經雄偉的巨型冰山可能在數週內完全消失。
fragment(n.)碎片megaberg(n.)巨型冰山mega(adj.)巨大的
A23a’s journey also reminds us of the power of ocean currents.
A23a的旅程也提醒我們海洋洋流的威力。
remind sb. of sth.提醒某人某事current(n.)洋流、水流
It floated along a strong Antarctic ocean current, sometimes running aground near South Georgia Island before moving on.
它隨著強勁的南極繞極流漂流，有時在南喬治亞島附近擱淺，隨後又繼續前進。
aground(adv.)擱淺;船(觸礁)
While it is fascinating to track, scientists warn that the increasing frequency of megabergs breaking off Antarctica is linked to warming oceans.
雖然追蹤這段旅程令人著迷，但科學家警告，越來越頻繁的大冰山從南極崩落與海洋變暖有關。
frequency(n.)頻率be linked to與～相關聯、與～有關係=be associated with=be connected with=be related to
These changes not only reshape the icy landscape but could also have dramatic effects on sea levels and marine life.
這些變化不僅重塑冰雪景觀，也可能對海平面和海洋生物造成劇烈影響。
dramatic(adj.)戲劇化的、劇烈的
In the end, A23a’s collapse is both a spectacular natural event and a sobering reminder of climate change.
最終，A23a的崩解既是一個壯觀的自然景象，也提醒我們氣候變遷的嚴峻現實。
spectacular(adj.)壯觀的spectacle(n.)壯觀的景象、場面sobering(adj.)令人警醒的
From being a colossal frozen giant to a rapidly fragmenting iceberg, it tells the story of the fragile and ever-changing Antarctic environment.
從巍峨聳立到快速碎裂的冰山，它講述了南極環境脆弱且不斷變化的故事。
colossal(adj.)巨大的、龐大的fragile(adj.)易碎的、脆弱的、虛弱的fragility(n.)脆弱;易碎性everlasting(adj.)永遠的;永久的;不朽的、持久的;接連不斷的