When an iceberg reaches warm waters, the new climate attacks it from all sides.

On the iceberg surface, warm air melts snow and ice into pools called melt ponds that can trickle through the iceberg and widen cracks. At the same time, warm water laps at the iceberg edges, melting the ice and causing chunks of ice to break off.

On the underside, warmer waters melt the iceberg from the bottom up.