Antarctica

• Tuesday, December 15th 2020 - 12:47 UTC

  BAS to study impact of giant A'68 iceberg and fresh water on South Georgia's ecosystem

  

  A research mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on one of the world’s most important ecosystems gets underway next month. A team of scientists, led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), will set sail on the National Oceanography Centre’s (NOC) ship bound for the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.

• Monday, December 7th 2020 - 09:20 UTC

  World's largest iceberg approaching South Georgia: concerns it could get stuck in shallow waters

  

  The world’s largest iceberg has been captured on camera drifting through the Southern Antarctic Front near the overseas British territory of South Georgia. British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) used high-speed digital cameras attached to a military transport aircraft to capture rare images of the iceberg as it travelled towards the island.

• Monday, December 7th 2020 - 09:06 UTC

  Argentina launches the 2020/21 limited Antarctica campaign, with special care o no possible coronavirus contagion

  

  The official Argentine 2020/21 Antarctic season was launched last Friday with a ceremony at the Buenos Aires Navy pier where the icebreaker “ARA Almirante Irizar” was docked, but with no authorities boarding the vessel to avoid any possible coronavirus contagion.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:39 UTC

  RRS Sir David Attenborough delivered, BAS readies for intensive training and Arctic ice trials next year

  

  Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been handed over from Cammell Laird shipyard to the Natural Environment Research Council, NERC. Operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the new polar ship will transform UK research in the polar regions. Its missions will be critical for understanding and making sense of our changing climate.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:00 UTC

  RRS James Clark Ross in South Georgia after seven weeks sailing

  

  The RRS James Clark Ross has arrived at King Edward Point, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, after seven weeks sailing south from the UK. For the staff disembarking at King Edward Point, this represents the culmination of a journey that started in quarantine in the UK in October to enable safe travel.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 08:58 UTC

  BAS celebrates Antarctica Day promoting polar science to classrooms in UK, US and Canada

  

  British Antarctic Survey (BAS) celebrated Antarctica Day in 2020 on December first, with a series of activities to highlight the importance of Antarctic research and operations during a year that marked the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the continent.

• Friday, November 27th 2020 - 09:28 UTC

  Falklands approves “Spirit of Sydney” expedition transit call to fly passengers back to UK

  

  On Wednesday 25 November, the Falkland Islands ExCo approved a proposal by the Spirit of Sydney expedition cruise vessel operator to transmit a small number of people back to the UK via the Falklands in late January 2021.

• Wednesday, November 25th 2020 - 09:00 UTC

  Chile building its own polar vessel, Antarctica I, to replace icebreaker Oscar Viel

  

  Construction of the Chilean Navy's new polar ship at the ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard is 35% advanced according to official information. The ship, being built under the name of Antarctica I project, will replace the Navy's current icebreaker Oscar Viel. She will perform logistic support activities for Antarctic operators, both domestic and foreign, performing tasks such as transporting people and materials, removing garbage and providing food and fuel.

• Thursday, November 19th 2020 - 09:02 UTC

  South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands Celebrates Inaugural Polar Pride Day

  

  On 18 November the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) and the Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) are celebrating the inaugural Polar Pride Day. This day demonstrates a commitment to support and enhance Diversity in Polar Science.

• Friday, November 6th 2020 - 09:19 UTC

  Humpback whales are back in South Georgia, after almost extinction a century ago

  

  A new study shows the welcome return of humpback whales to the waters around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia after a century of commercial whaling decimated their populations. The study is published in the journal Endangered Species Research this week and is good news for whale conservation.