MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 4th 2025 - 10:23 UTC

Antarctica

  • Friday, February 28th 2025 - 10:12 UTC

    Human waste found on Antarctica's Byers Peninsula

    The findings proved that currents can move debris over thousands of miles

    Spanish scientists led by Professor Jesús Ruiz Fernández of the University of Oviedo have found traces of human waste, including plastic bottles, drums, flip-flops, and other objects, on Antarctica's Byers Peninsula, one of the continent's most protected areas. The discovery was made last week during their research on glacier retreat and ecosystem evolution.

  • Monday, February 24th 2025 - 08:29 UTC

    Falklands: two Indian Navy women officers reach Stanley after successfully navigating Cape Horn

    The two Indian Navy “Cape Horners,“ with BFSAI representatives showing Falklands and India Flags.

    Completing their longest and most challenging leg, the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, INSV, Tarini arrived safely in Stanley, Falkland Islands after travelling 10,400km from New Zealand.

  • Tuesday, February 18th 2025 - 08:25 UTC

    Penguin eggs, “once vital for Antarctic explorers, but now illegal to consume”

    Penguins jealously watching over the eggs in their nest. (Photo: Derek. Pettersson)

    A Korean news site has published an interesting article on Penguin Eggs, and its nutritional virtues, which it describes as “once vital for Antarctic Explorers”, and we might add decades ago, part of Falkland Islanders diet, but which are now illegal to consume and penguins very much protected and loved.

  • Tuesday, February 18th 2025 - 08:06 UTC

    Seabourn Venture stabilizers system forces a change of itinerary, possibly two extra days in Falklands

    “As the area around South Georgia often experiences heavy seas with large swells and with your comfort in mind, we have regretfully made the decision to alter our itinerary”

    Cruise Travel in its NewsBreak has reported that a luxury expedition ship currently sailing in Antarctica, has been forced to revise its itinerary due to unexpected problems with its stabilizers. Accordingly, Seabourn Venture's stabilizer system, designed to minimize ship movement in rough seas, has been deemed inoperable by Seabourn’s technical team.

  • Saturday, February 15th 2025 - 20:26 UTC

    New map of South Orkney Islands published for the first time in 40 years by BAS

    The South Orkney Islands lie roughly 650km north-east of the Antarctic Peninsula and 1250km south-east of South America.

    A new map of the South Orkney Islands has been released by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) – the first UK published, topographic map of the region in almost 40 years. Created by the Mapping and Geographic Information Centre at BAS, the map offers a detailed topographic view of the entire South Orkney archipelago on one side, with a focused, high-resolution map of Signy Island on the reverse.

  • Sunday, February 9th 2025 - 10:49 UTC

    Beautiful South Georgia from the air on a day of great visibility

    Approaching the island

    The BFSAI is reporting that an RFA Airbus Atlas 400 M during a recent fisheries patrol operation, ColdStare, along South Georgia Island and waters enjoyed spectacular flying conditions, with blue skies, since they are normally covered in cloud’

  • Saturday, February 8th 2025 - 09:42 UTC

    Was last month the hottest ever?

    January 2025 was predominantly wetter than average, with heavy rainfall leading to flooding in some regions

    January 2025 was the hottest month ever recorded by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, which detected the planet's temperature to be 1.75 degrees Celsius (°C) above pre-industrial levels and 0.79°C above the 1991-2020 average for the month, with a surface air temperature of 13.23°C.

  • Friday, February 7th 2025 - 07:59 UTC

    Scientists discover micro plastics in Antarctica deep field camps

    A view over the Ellsworth Mountains, West Antarctica. Credit: Steve Gibbs, BAS

    Scientists have discovered microplastics in the snow near some of Antarctica’s deep field camps, revealing how far-reaching plastic pollution has become. While not new, it’s the first time these tiny pieces of plastic have been found in remote locations.

  • Saturday, February 1st 2025 - 08:13 UTC

    BAS studies whales and fish to protect South Georgia marine ecosystem

    Humpback whales migrate south to South Georgia. Image: Fredrik Christiansen

    British Antarctic Survey scientists on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia are working to better understand the rich marine life that inhabits the region. This month teams are focusing on two major projects: one on whales and their consumption of krill (a shrimp-like creature that’s abundant in the Southern Ocean), and another on populations of bottom-dwelling fish. Their findings will help ensure the long-term health of the region’s ocean ecosystem and support sustainable fisheries.

  • Monday, January 27th 2025 - 08:57 UTC

    Chinese researchers use six-legged robotic dogs in Antarctica mission

    Developers hope to extend the battery duration and include other safety features shortly

    Chinese researchers proudly released pictures of the six-legged robot dogs used during the ongoing Antarctic mission at the Zhongshan polar research station this past weekend. These robot dogs can carry up to 100 kilograms of tools and materials and are suitable for operations in extreme weather conditions of -40 degrees Celsius.