Antarctica

Saturday, October 28th 2023 - 10:56 UTC
ARA Patagonia back on duty

Argentina's Navy announced this week that the French-built logistics vessel ARA Patagonia was back at sea after a total refit, major repairs, and the replacement of numerous elements and parts at the No. 1 careening dock of the Arsenal Naval Puerto Belgrano and under the management of the Tandanor shipyards.
Tuesday, October 24th 2023 - 08:55 UTC
BAS reports first confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in South Georgia; Biosecurity Handbook must be handy

The highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in brown skua populations on Bird Island, South Georgia – the first known cases in the Antarctic region, reported British Antarctic Survey, BAS.
Saturday, October 21st 2023 - 10:50 UTC
BAS begins its ambitious 2023/24 Antarctic field season: 60 projects and 600 people

The British Antarctic Survey has announced that the 2023/24 Antarctic field season has started, with over 600 people beginning the journey South to work on over 60 projects on station and in the field. The season of work speaks clearly to the new 10-year science strategy, Polar Science for a Sustainable Planet, making the most of our operational capabilities across BAS five Antarctic stations, aircraft, and research ship.
Thursday, October 19th 2023 - 08:55 UTC
Brazilian Navy begins Operation Antarctica 2023

The Brazilian Navy (MB) officially started its Operation Antarctica (OPERANTAR) 2023 last Sunday with the departure of the Oceanographic Support Vessel “Ary Rongel” and the Polar Vessel “Almirante Maximiano”, it was reported. The units will support the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) before returning to the Ilha das Cobras naval base in Rio de Janeiro in April 2024, it was also explained.
Thursday, October 12th 2023 - 08:30 UTC
Falklands flagged Sir David Attenborough prepares for its Antarctic summer expedition

Having ended its Arctic expedition, icebreaker Sir David Attenborough has docked in Harwich before it will head off to welcome its new crew and prepare for the austral summer mission in Antarctica.
Monday, October 9th 2023 - 09:55 UTC
Copernicus satellite detected giant hole in ozone layer over Antarctica, three times the size of Brazil

The European Space agency Copernicus Sentinel satellite detected a giant hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica, as part of the EU's Environmental monitoring program. The hole which scientists call an “ozone depleted area” was 26 million square kilometers in size, roughly three times the size of Brazil.
Wednesday, October 4th 2023 - 10:40 UTC
Studying the impact of commercial whaling in South Georgia on today's pods

While commercial whaling in the twentieth century killed big whale populations, it also appears to have had a long-term impact on the genetic variety of today's surviving whales, according to a piece by Nature World News extracted from Journal of Heredity.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 08:34 UTC
IAATO includes geo-fenced protection areas for whales in its Antarctica guidelines

The 2023/24 Antarctica season will see 17 new trial site guidelines including special areas so as to protect whales, according to the latest initiatives by IAATO, reports Sea Trade Cruise News.
Wednesday, September 20th 2023 - 08:13 UTC
Brunt Ice Shelf moving faster after calving of giant iceberg

Following the calving of the A-81 iceberg at the end of January 2023, the Brunt Ice Shelf is moving faster than before. It is currently moving approximately 4 meters a day towards the sea, whereas before the calving it moved at an average of between 1-2.5 meters a day.
Tuesday, September 5th 2023 - 10:36 UTC
South Georgia celebrates Toothfish Day; marks the end of Dissostichus eleginoides', fishing season

Toothfish Day is a public holiday celebrated in the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It is annually on 4th September, but if that falls on a weekend it may be observed on a weekday.