Tag: British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

• Wednesday, June 18th 2025 - 05:27 UTC

  Antarctica Emperor penguin population decreasing faster than expected, satellite imagery

  

  Antarctica’s emperor penguin population may be decreasing faster than some of the most pessimistic predictions. A new analysis of up-to-date satellite imagery suggests the birds’ numbers declined 22% over a 15-year period (2009 to 2024) in a key sector of the continent – encompassing the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and Bellingshausen Sea.

• Wednesday, June 11th 2025 - 08:11 UTC

  The plastic legacy has reached profusely to the bottom of the planet

  

  On 5 June, UN World Environment Day, the campaign motto was “Beat Plastic Pollution”, and with very good reasons, we are surrounded by plastic pollution and a report from BAS indicates that at the bottom of the world, where few humans have ever set foot, an unwelcome visitor has arrived. Antarctica – the vast, frozen wilderness of ice and snow – is no longer untouched by humanity’s most persistent pollutant: plastic.

• Thursday, May 29th 2025 - 14:49 UTC

  Forty years since the discovery of the ozone hole by a team of BAS scientists

  

  This month, the world will mark the 40th anniversary of a moment that changed the course of history: the publication in Nature of ground-breaking research that presented the discovery of the ozone hole more precisely on 16 May 1985.

• Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 06:13 UTC

  Talks on discovery in Antarctica of the ozone hole 40 years ago at Royal Geographic Society

  

  To commemorate the extraordinary moment the ozone hole was discovered in Antarctica 40 years ago, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has teamed up with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London to host a special series of talks on Tuesday, 6 May 2025. 

• Monday, April 7th 2025 - 15:54 UTC

  Insights into the impact of melting mega-brergs with robotic gliders

  

  For the first time, scientists have collected measurements close to a giant iceberg, giving an unprecedented window into the impact of meltwater on the surrounding Southern Ocean and ecosystem. The paper is published in the journal Nature Geoscience. 

• Monday, March 24th 2025 - 08:58 UTC

  South Georgia’s ground-fish survey reveals key insights of marine life

  

  The waters surrounding South Georgia, nestled beneath glaciated mountains, are among the most biologically rich in the Southern Ocean. In February, a team of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and international institutions embarked on an important research expedition to explore the diverse marine life – including ground-fish – thriving 300 meters below the surface.

• Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 09:59 UTC

  Falklands BFSAI stationed, support BAS in reconnaissance mission in Antarctica

  

  The British Forces South Atlantic Islands, BFSAI continue to support the British Antarctic Survey following a reconnaissance mission over the Union Glacier, Antarctica.

• Saturday, February 15th 2025 - 20:26 UTC

  New map of South Orkney Islands published for the first time in 40 years by BAS

  

  A new map of the South Orkney Islands has been released by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) – the first UK published, topographic map of the region in almost 40 years. Created by the Mapping and Geographic Information Centre at BAS, the map offers a detailed topographic view of the entire South Orkney archipelago on one side, with a focused, high-resolution map of Signy Island on the reverse.

• 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.