Antarctica

• Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 03:20 UTC

  Chile looking for a new icebreaker to strengthen presence in Antarctica

  

  The Chilean Navy icebreaker is scheduled to be decommissioned in four years time so “we are in the task of considering a replacement” revealed Third Naval Zone Commander Rear Admiral Rafael Gonzalez during a press conference in Punta Arenas to review results of the last Antarctic season.

• Tuesday, April 12th 2011 - 20:20 UTC

  Antarctica penguin species suffering from declining krill availability, says NOAA

  

  A number of penguin species found in western Antarctica are declining as a result of a fall in the availability of krill, a study has suggested. Researchers, examining 30 years of data, said chinstrap and Adelie penguin numbers had been falling since 1986.

• Tuesday, April 12th 2011 - 17:08 UTC

  The Lynx Mk3 takes off from HMS Ocean for the last time

  

  After more than 30 years’ service one of the mainstays of Britain’s Fleet Air Arm, including the Ice Patrol, has made its final appearance at sea, reports the Royal Navy. Nearly four decades to the day that the very first Lynx helicopter took to the skies, a Mk3 variant lifted off from the sprawling flight deck of HMS Ocean.

• Saturday, April 9th 2011 - 00:13 UTC

  Puerto Williams poised to become Chile’s Antarctica travel hub

  

  Chile and the world’s southernmost town, Puerto Williams, is to open up to mass tourism under a new investment program approved by the government.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 21:49 UTC

  Three year contract for the new Ice patrol HMS Protector to replace the Red Plum

  

  The Royal Navy will have a new ‘Protector’ of British interests in Antarctica. HMS Protector, upholding the famous name of the 1950s and 60s Antarctic survey vessel, is being loaned on a three-year trial with the Fleet while the long-term future of the Antarctic Patrol vessel HMS Endurance is considered.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 21:16 UTC

  Antarctica unveils new mineral ‘wassonite’, found by NASA and co-researchers

  

  NASA and co-researchers from the United States, South Korea and Japan have found a new mineral named “Wassonite” in one of the most historically significant meteorites recovered in Antarctica in December 1969.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 21:06 UTC

  Royal Navy preparing young explorers to re-edit Scott’s Antarctica saga in 2012

  

  Budding explorers inspired by Royal Navy Captain Robert Scott of the Antarctic, have had the chance to prove that they have got what it takes to follow in his footsteps during an exercise held at HMS Raleigh this week.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:58 UTC

  Five cruise vessels call in South Georgia during March

  

  The South Georgia tourist season is drawing to a close with just one cruise ship left to visit in early April, according to the latest edition of the South Georgia Newsletter.

• Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 06:25 UTC

  Unprecedented damage to the ozone layer over the Arctic, says WMO

  

  The ozone layer has seen unprecedented damage in the Arctic this winter due to cold weather in the upper atmosphere. By the end of March, 40% of the ozone in the stratosphere had been destroyed, against a previous record of 30%.

• Tuesday, April 5th 2011 - 09:04 UTC

  HMS Scott spent weeks in Antarctic seas mapping for cruise vessels’ safety

  

  The Royal Navy hydrographic survey ship HMS Scott is returning to Davenport Sunday April 10 after completing her second deployment to Antarctica. During the 22,500-mile journey she has been working on behalf of the British Foreign Commonwealth Office, British Antarctic Survey & United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.