Antarctica

Saturday, November 30th 2019 - 06:44 UTC
Swimming with penguins and whales off Antarctica Peninsula

“It's like getting stabbed,” a tourist exclaims as he plunges into the three degree Celsius water, all under the intrigued gaze of a group of penguins. All around Half Moon Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula, blocks of ice of all sizes float by on a calm sea, their varying forms resembling weightless origami shapes.
Friday, November 15th 2019 - 09:30 UTC
US/UK scientific team on major mission to the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica

Nearly 100 scientists and support staff departed this week for the most ambitious mission to date for Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica.
Wednesday, November 6th 2019 - 12:50 UTC
IAATO has suspended One Ocean Expeditions; Falklands' call of “Resolute” cruise cancelled

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has essentially suspended One Ocean Expeditions’ (OOE) membership in the group, according to a statement sent to members and obtained by Cruise Industry News. One Ocean’s future continues to raise a question mark as departures are cancelled and the RCGS Resolute continues to sit in Buenos Aires.
Wednesday, November 6th 2019 - 09:44 UTC
CCAMLR fails to designate marine protection areas in East Antarctica, Pew regrets

The Pew Charitable Trusts expressed disappointment that for an eighth consecutive year, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) ended its annual meeting without designating marine protections in the waters off East Antarctica. Member governments also failed to reach consensus on the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula.
Saturday, October 26th 2019 - 08:51 UTC
BAS gearing for the Antarctic season: Halley station to reopen and modernization of Rothera to continue

Science and support teams from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are gearing up for the start of the Antarctic summer field season. The first Twin Otter aircraft have arrived at Rothera Research Station, preparations are being made to reopen Halley Research Station, and the next construction phases of a major program to modernize Rothera and the islands stations are set to begin.
Friday, October 18th 2019 - 09:44 UTC
BAS technique to detect stranded whales from space

A new technique for analyzing satellite images may help scientists detect and count stranded whales from space. Researchers tested a new detection method using Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite images from Maxar Technologies of the biggest mass stranding of baleen whales yet recorded. It is hoped that in the future the technique will lead to real-time information as stranding events happen.
Wednesday, October 16th 2019 - 08:41 UTC
First China built icebreaker begins its maiden voyage to Antarctica

China's first domestically built polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, will start its maiden voyage to the Antarctic from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen this week.
Thursday, October 10th 2019 - 08:46 UTC
Brazil will reopen its Antarctica base Comandante Ferraz next January

The Brazilian Navy will inaugurate its new 4,500 m² Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF) in January 2020, the head of the Navy Programs Management Directorate (DGePM), Vice Admiral Petronio Augusto Siqueira de Aguiar, said earlier this month.
Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Ushuaia anticipates an exceptional cruise season with 431 calls

Ushuaia, extreme south of Argentina and the hub which handles most Antarctica bound cruises are expecting an exceptional 2019/20 season with some 431 calls, up from the 392 of the previous season, according to provincial port authorities.
Friday, October 4th 2019 - 14:57 UTC
Falklands flagged, BAS latest incorporation: RRS Sir David Attenborough”

The Royal Research Ship RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been flagged to the Falkland Islands and officially named in a ceremony at Birkenhead, near Liverpool on Thursday September 26.