Antarctica

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

  Scientists discover micro plastics in Antarctica deep field camps

  

  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

  

  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

  

  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.

• Monday, January 27th 2025 - 07:58 UTC

  Polar Medal 2025 for British Antarctic Survey staff

  

  Congratulations to British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff who have been awarded a Polar Medal in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List for their contributions to improving our understanding of Antarctica, through scientific or technical work in or about the Polar Regions.

• Friday, January 24th 2025 - 21:10 UTC

  Giant iceberg approaching South Georgia stirs fears

  

  A23a, arguably the world’s largest and oldest iceberg which has been wandering through the South Atlantic and headed for the British Overseas Territory of the South Georgia Islands since last month, has been reported not to have changed course this week nor upped nor melted, thus posing a serious threat to the local fauna. Earlier this week, it was spotted 173 miles (280km) away.

• Monday, January 20th 2025 - 05:38 UTC

  Royal Navy paid tribute to its Chilean counterpart bravery and expertise

  

  The Royal Navy paid homage to the bravery and expertise of its Chilean counterpart during a ceremony in Punta Arenas. The commander of the ship which rescued sailors from Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance has been recognized by the UK during icebreaker HMS Protector’s port stop in Chile.

• Friday, January 17th 2025 - 08:47 UTC

  South Georgia Island, 250th Anniversary of British Possession, led by the great navigator James Cook

  

  On the 17th of January 1775, English Captain James Cook landed at Possession Bay in South Georgia Island. While his vessel HMS Resolution sat at anchor in the bay, Cook went ashore, hoisted the British flag and performed the ceremony of taking possession of the island, in the name of King George III and his heirs.

• Wednesday, January 15th 2025 - 10:21 UTC

  Antarctica historic milestone, successful drilling of a 2.800 meters long ice core, more than 1.2 million years old

  

  The fourth Antarctic campaign of the Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice project has achieved a historic milestone this week, by successfully drilling a 2800-metre-long ice core, consisting of ice from the Antarctic ice sheet which is more than 1.2 million years old.

• Wednesday, January 15th 2025 - 09:48 UTC

  Busy cruise season for Ushuaia, 14 vessels in a week

  

  A busy week for Ushuaia, extreme south of Argentina with some fourteen cruise vessels, mostly heading for Antarctica calling at the capital of Tierra del Fuego province, and involving 4,500 passengers.

• Wednesday, January 15th 2025 - 09:01 UTC

  Team of scientists on board HMS Protector studying impact of plastic waste in Antarctica

  

  A scientist team aboard the Royal Navy icebreaker is uncovering the damage plastic waste is having on Antarctica. As part of efforts to preserve one of the world’s most unique and fragile environments, critical work has been carried out by researchers from the University of Portsmouth aboard polar research vessel HMS Protector.