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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, February 1st 2026 - 10:34 UTC

Antarctica

  • Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 04:07 UTC

    Antarctica Larsen C ice shelf about to spawn huge berg. In pieces it could reach as far as Falklands

    While waiting for Sentinel-1 to record when this 6000 sq km iceberg is spawned, CryoSat can reveal what the berg’s measurements will be.

    Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf deep crack continues to cut across the ice, leaving a huge chunk clinging on. When it eventually gives way, one of the largest icebergs on record will be set adrift, and whole or in pieces, ocean currents could drag it north, even as far as the Falkland Islands. And if so it could pose a hazard for ships in Drake Passage.

  • Sunday, June 4th 2017 - 12:34 UTC

    South Georgia working with UN Environment program on terrestrial protected areas

    Developing a suite of Terrestrial Protected Areas was identified as a high priority in the 2016-2020 strategy and GSGSSI values working UNEP-WCMC

    The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has embarked on an exciting new collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) to develop a series of protected areas for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.

  • Thursday, June 1st 2017 - 20:57 UTC

    Antarctica largest iceberg ever, ready to break off from the Larsen C ice shelf

    The crack now has just 8 miles to go before an iceberg roughly the size of the state of Delaware breaks free into the Southern Ocean.

    The long-growing crack in the Larsen C ice shelf, one of Antarctica’s largest floating platforms of ice, appears to be reaching its inevitable end. Scientists with Project MIDAS, working out of Swansea University and Aberystwyth University in Wales and studying the shelf by satellites and through other techniques, have released a new update showing that the crack grew a stunning 11 miles in the space of just one week between May 25 and May 31.

  • Sunday, May 14th 2017 - 00:03 UTC

    UK/Uruguay confirm Antarctic cooperation with Montevideo visit of two BAS research vessels

    Icebreaker RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Shackleton coincided in Montevideo port at the end of the Antarctic season

    Two British scientific research vessels coincided in Montevideo in early May at the end of the Antarctic season, in their way back to Southampton. Icebreaker RRS Shackleton and RRS James Clark Ross with sophisticated scientific research equipment and tens of experts in different disciplines spent months in Antarctica and returned to Montevideo, a traditional call port the British Antarctic Survey, BAS.

  • Friday, May 12th 2017 - 07:23 UTC

    IAATO appoints New Executive Director, Dr Damon Stanwell-Smith

    Damon began his career as a marine biologist, gaining a PhD with the British Antarctic Survey, later heading programs at UNEP-WCMC

    The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the appointment of Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith as Executive Director. Damon will lead the Secretariat and work with IAATO’s Executive Committee to ensure the association is functioning according to its mission of safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.

  • Friday, May 12th 2017 - 06:59 UTC

    IAATO members vote to develop an Antarctic conservation plan

    “This was an important decision that reflects our members’ ongoing commitment to sustainable Antarctic tourism.” said Terry Shaller Chair of IAATO’s ExCo

    Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) have agreed to develop a science based conservation plan for the Antarctic Peninsula in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to support decision making for tourism management.

  • Thursday, May 11th 2017 - 12:38 UTC

    Chile cuts steel for its new 13.000 tons icebreaker to be operational in 2022/23

    “It's a great day for Chile and a great honor for me to participate in the steel plate cutting ceremony of this new icebreaker”, said president Bachelet

    Chilean president Michelle Bachelet cut the first sheet of steel for the construction of the country's new icebreaker which is expected to be operational for the 2022/23 Antarctic season, replacing the ageing Almirante Oscar Viel. The US$ 200 million plus project based on a contract with naval architects and marine engineers Vard Marine, will be built at ASMAR Talcahuano, Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Company.

  • Tuesday, May 2nd 2017 - 22:31 UTC

    BAS describes how warm, dry winds weaken Antarctic ice shelves

    In 1995 and 2002, the Larsen A and B ice shelves collapsed, depositing an area the size of half East Falkland into the Weddell Sea.

    New research describes for the first time the role that warm, dry winds play in influencing the behaviour of Antarctic ice shelves. Making a presentation at a European conference scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) explain how spring and summer winds, known as föhn winds, are prevalent on the Larsen C Ice Shelf, West Antarctica and creating melt pools.

  • Tuesday, May 2nd 2017 - 11:46 UTC

    IAATO estimates 46.385 visitors to Antarctica during the 2017/18 season

    Overall, levels of visitation, particularly in the cruise sector of the industry, has been increasing steadily since 2011-2012.

    The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) announced its tourism figures for the 2016-2017 Antarctic season at the start of its annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2/7. Members are gathered to discuss safe, environmentally responsible Antarctic tourism, including a multi-dimensional approach to managing for growth that will keep activities both safe and sustainable.

  • Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 10:17 UTC

    Argentine Icebreaker Irizar is back undergoing sea trials, readying for Antarctica sailing

    The “new” Irizar has state of the art technology, double Antarctic fuel capacity and has increased six fold the area dedicated to labs and other scientific activities

    Argentina's Navy icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar is back on sea trials following almost ten years of recovery and refurbishing after she caught fire in 2007 when returning from Antarctica and was considered almost a wreck given the magnitude of the damages experienced.