8 January, 2021
A British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientist departs Germany today (8 January 2021) onboard the research vessel SONNE to study the diversity of marine organisms in the Atlantic deep sea. Dr …
Read more on Expedition to map biodiversity in Atlantic deep sea
8 January, 2021
The BAS field season is underway. Since the RRS James Clark Ross departed the UK in November last year, it has safely delivered summer and wintering staff and essential cargo …
9 December, 2020
Polar climate scientists have created the most high resolution past record of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds. The results, published this week (9 December) in the journal Communications Earth and …
Read more on Southern Hemisphere westerly winds likely to intensify as climate warms
27 November, 2020
Large krill swarms in the Southern Ocean could help remove additional carbon from the atmosphere, in a way that is currently ‘hidden’ in global models. Scientists knew that the carbon-rich …
Read more on Krill provide a highway for ocean carbon storage
25 November, 2020
Applications for PhD projects with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are now open for October 2021 admission. There are currently over 100 PhD students associated with BAS, working on a huge variety …
Read more on Do your PhD with British Antarctic Survey in 2021
19 November, 2020
An international research team led by UK scientists has revealed the return of critically endangered Antarctic blue whales to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, 50 years after whaling all …
Read more on Blue whales return to South Georgia after near extinction
17 November, 2020
British Antarctic Survey contributes to new international study that finds a surprising increase in the amount of dense water sinking near Antarctica, following 50 years of decline. Dense water formed …
Read more on Climate extremes drive changes in Antarctic Bottom Water
13 November, 2020
The UK Prime Minister has announced today (Friday 13 November) a new Marine Protected Zone around the overseas territory of the island of Tristan da Cunha. The move is part …
Read more on BAS feeds into designation of new ocean sanctuary
13 November, 2020
The award recognises Professor Horne’s unique ability to combine basic and applied research to develop useful space weather products.
5 November, 2020
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 …
23 October, 2020
New study of plastics in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands
21 October, 2020
BIRKENHEAD. Today (Wednesday 21 October) the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – leaves Cammell Laird shipyard for two weeks of technical sea trials. In …
Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough departs Cammell Laird for technical sea trials
15 October, 2020
An international ‘Krill Action Group’, including experts from the British Antarctic Survey, has identified several research priorities to advance the understanding of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and improve the management …
Read more on Research priorities for effective krill management
23 September, 2020
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recognized a temperature of -69.6°C (-93.3°F) at an automatic weather station in Greenland on 22 December 1991 as the coldest ever recorded in the …
Read more on Climate scientists uncover 30-year-old temperature record
22 September, 2020
New research shows that Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a key link in the Southern Ocean food web, have refuges from the rapid climatic warming and ice loss that has degraded …
Read more on Antarctic krill take refuge from climate change
18 September, 2020 Michael Meredith
As the Arctic sea ice minimum approaches this month, we share a blog from Professor Mike Meredith at British Antarctic Survey about how the region is rapidly changing in our …
9 September, 2020
Newly discovered deep seabed channels beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica may be the pathway for warm ocean water to melt the underside of the ice. Data from two research …
5 August, 2020
A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than was previously thought. The results provide an important benchmark for monitoring …
Read more on Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space
31 July, 2020
Scientists have found that studying high-resolution images of whales from space is a feasible way to estimate their populations. A team, led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), compared satellite images …
29 June, 2020
The South Pole has warmed at over three times the global rate since 1989, according to a paper published in Nature Climate Change today (29 June 2020). This warming period was …
27 June, 2020
Space weather research at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) receives a funding boost of around £2M today (Saturday 27 June) from the SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) programme. …
Read more on Space weather monitoring receives funding boost
22 June, 2020 Huw Griffiths
BAS marine biogeographer Dr Huw Griffiths talks about the importance of diverse role models. He is hopeful that existing and future polar scientists will see that being yourself and being different are no barrier to working in the most extreme environments on Earth, and can be a real asset as a scientist.
Read more on Carrying the PRIDE message to the Polar Regions
17 June, 2020
Scientists have discovered that summer sea ice in the Weddell Sea area of Antarctica has decreased by one million square kilometres – an area twice the size of Spain – …
12 June, 2020
A new study of albatrosses has found that wind plays a bigger role in their decision to take flight than previously thought, and due to their differences in body size, …
Read more on Wind beneath their wings – study finds albatrosses fine-tuned to wind conditions
12 June, 2020
The joint US/UK five-year programme to study the future contribution of Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica to global sea-level rise – the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) – announces news …
Read more on Plans for International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration in response to COVID-19
20 May, 2020
Scientists have created the first ever large-scale map of microscopic algae as they bloomed across the surface of snow along the Antarctic Peninsula coast. Results indicate that this ‘green snow’ is …
Read more on Climate change will turn coastal Antarctica green
20 May, 2020
Scientists have discovered where a whale species that feeds around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia breeds during the winter months. This understanding of where the animals migrate from will …
7 May, 2020
Warm winter spells have increased in frequency and duration two- to three times over since 1878, according to a new study published this week (6 May 2020). In a new …
Read more on Increase in winter warm spells in UK temperature records
28 April, 2020
Food wrapping, fishing gear and plastic waste continue to reach the Antarctic. Two new studies into how plastic debris is reaching sub-Antarctic islands are published in the journal Environment International. …
23 April, 2020
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced its latest round of Future Leaders Fellowships today (23 April 2020). Congratulations to Dr Dan Jones and Dr Clara Manno of British Antarctic …
1 April, 2020
An international team of researchers has provided a new and unprecedented perspective on the climate history of Antarctica. From a sediment core collected from the seafloor in West Antarctica, they …
4 March, 2020
British Antarctic Survey is pleased to announce the Appleton Prize 2020 has been awarded to Professor Richard Horne, Head of the Space Weather and Atmosphere science team at British Antarctic …
Read more on Appleton Prize awarded to Professor Richard Horne
26 February, 2020
Climate change could add around 20% to the global cost of extreme weather events by 2040, according to early findings from Cambridge researchers. The findings come from the Cambridge Climate …
Read more on Climate scientists help businesses tackle climate change
20 February, 2020
A team led by British Antarctic Survey has just returned from the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, as the last of three expeditions to investigate the recovery of whales a …
11 February, 2020
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is organised by UNESCO and UN-Women to promote full and equal access and participation in science for women and girls. The United …
Read more on International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2020
31 January, 2020
Large brown seaweed can bring invasive species to Antarctica, according to research published today (31 January 2020) in the journal Scientific Reports. The new study describes the first scientific evidence …
Read more on Invading species ‘hitches a ride’ on kelp to reach Antarctica
29 January, 2020
A ‘great’ space weather super-storm large enough to cause significant disruption to our electronic and networked systems occurred on average once in every 25 years. The results are published today …
Read more on Space weather ‘super storms’ occurred every 25 years
29 January, 2020 Markus Frey
Atmosphere and ice climate scientist Dr Markus Frey is on his way to join the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition. Markus will be using …
28 January, 2020
Teams from the US and UK have successfully completed scientific fieldwork in one of the most remote and hostile areas of West Antarctica – coinciding with the 200th anniversary of …
Read more on Scientists drill for first time on remote Antarctic Glacier
22 January, 2020 Jennifer Jackson
BAS biologist Dr Jennifer Jackson shares updates from the South Georgia southern right whale expedition currently in progress in the sub-Antarctic. During January 2020, the British Antarctic Survey’s wild water …
Read more on Blog: South Georgia whale expedition in full swing!
17 January, 2020
British Antarctic Survey’s Twin Otter aircraft takes to the skies over Barbados as part of a major international research campaign to enhance understanding of the behaviour of clouds and their …
13 January, 2020
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2020/21 season are invited from UK-based researchers. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) provides fieldwork opportunities for scientists …
Read more on Opportunities for Antarctic research 2020 – Apply now
13 January, 2020
A new study identifies the non-native species most likely to ‘invade’ the Antarctic Peninsula region over the next decade. It provides a baseline for all operators in the region to …
Read more on Predicting non-native ‘invasions’ in Antarctica
8 January, 2020
A new study published this week (7 January 2020) identifies a need for fishery managers to adopt clear objectives for the protection of seabirds and mammals. It is published in …
6 January, 2020
It is with great sadness that we report the death of previous staff member, Professor Alan Rodger. Alan was a scientist in BAS for over 40 years since 1972. He …
12 December, 2019
A team of glaciologists has unveiled the most accurate portrait yet of the contours of the land beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet – and, by doing so, has helped identify which …
Read more on New high-precision map of Antarctica’s bed topography
29 November, 2019
Two studies published in a special issue of the journal Science Advances this week (27 November 2019) highlight the fragility of the Antarctic and its ecosystems in the lead up …
Read more on Studies highlight fragility of Antarctic ecosystems
12 November, 2019
Applications for BAS PhD projects are now open for 2020 admission. There are currently over 100 PhD students associated with BAS, and nearly half of these students work full time …
4 November, 2019
A team of international researchers, including Professor Richard Horne from British Antarctic Survey, has been awarded best research study from the journal Risk Analysis for 2019. The study, led by …
18 October, 2019
A new study involving British Antarctic Survey researchers highlights the influence of krill (Euphausia superba) on atmospheric carbon levels. It is published in the journal Nature Communications today (18th October …
17 October, 2019
A new technique for analysing 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 …
9 October, 2019
In a new study published this week (Wednesday 9 October) in the journal Biological Conservation, an international team of researchers recommends the need for additional measures to protect and conserve …
Read more on Study recommends special protection of emperor penguins
26 September, 2019
The UK’s new polar research ship is formally named the RRS Sir David Attenborough today [Thursday 26 September] by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In their first engagement of …
18 September, 2019 Markus Frey
The BAS SSAASI-CLIM team arrived in Tromsø a few days ago to set up equipment onboard of RV Polarstern. On Friday 20 Sep 2019 the German ice breaker will embark …
29 July, 2019 Melody Clark
Professor Melody Clark, Project Leader, discusses the trials and tribulations of undertaking research in Antarctica. Her latest paper published in Nature Communications shows that rising sea temperatures of just 1-2 …
Read more on Warming up the Antarctic: Harder than you think
21 July, 2019 Rachel Furner
Rachel Furner is a PhD student at British Antarctic Survey, which has recently opened up its new AI Lab, that aims to foster the application of various machine learning (and …
11 July, 2019 Anne-Sophie Bonnet-Lebrun
The Project LOMVIA team continue their work tracking guillemots of the remote cliff of Látrabjarg, Iceland. Post-doctoral researcher Dr Anne-Sophie Bonnet-Lebrun explains more. Tagging and tracking seabirds Our fieldwork is …
3 July, 2019
A team of scientists has discovered a rare lava lake on a remote and inaccessible sub-Antarctic island. This volcano in the South Sandwich Islands is only the 8th to be identified worldwide to have a persistent lava lake.
Read more on Discovery of rare lava lake on remote sub-Antarctic island
1 July, 2019
The use of electric propulsion for raising satellites into geostationary orbit can result in significant solar cell degradation according to a new study. The extended journey results in greater exposure …
Read more on Space weather causes radiation damage to satellites
27 June, 2019 Norman Ratcliffe
After the initial reconnaissance expedition in 2018, this June Project LOMVIA – part of the NERC Changing Arctic Ocean Programme begins in earnest (read more about last year’s work here). …
19 June, 2019
A new study shows how marine life around Antarctica returned after the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. A team led by British Antarctic Survey studied just under 3000 …
Read more on Marine life recovery following the dinosaurs’ extinction
18 June, 2019
The debut mission involving the autonomous submarine Autosub Long Range – affectionately known as Boaty McBoatface – has for the first time shed light on a key process linking increasing …
Read more on Boaty McBoatface sheds light on warming ocean abyss
17 June, 2019
A new study reveals how marine life around Antarctica will fare in an ocean which has declining levels of oxygen. Writing in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society …
Read more on Antarctic species in the face of a changing ocean
22 May, 2019
A new study highlights that sub-Antarctic seabirds are most at risk from unsustainable fishing during the southern hemisphere winter and in the south Atlantic and Southwest Indian Oceans. The link …
Read more on Fishing hotspots show where sub-Antarctic seabirds at risk
13 May, 2019
A new study by BAS scientists and collaborators in the Netherlands shows that seal and penguin poo is key to Antarctic biodiversity on land. By studying concentrations of nitrogen-rich guano …
Read more on Seal and penguin poo is major driver of Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity
25 April, 2019
Researchers at British Antarctic Survey have discovered “catastrophic” breeding failure at one of world’s largest emperor penguin colonies.
Read more on “Catastrophic” breeding failure at one of world’s largest emperor penguin colonies
23 April, 2019
Scientists embark on a three-week flying campaign today (23 April) to study methane emissions from gas fields in the southern North Sea. Using specialised scientific equipment, on board one of …
Read more on Scientists to study methane emissions in North Sea
9 April, 2019
This week a team of European researchers announces its plans for an ambitious mission to find the oldest ice on Earth (9 April 2019). Antarctica’s ice has the potential to …
Read more on New mission for 1.5 million year climate record
25 March, 2019
A new study reveals the importance of a small number of intense storms around Antarctica in controlling the amount of snow falling across the continent.
Read more on Antarctic snowfall dominated by a few extreme snowstorms
22 March, 2019
A team of researchers led by British Antarctic Survey has for the first time mapped the deepest part of the South Sandwich Trench in the Southern Ocean. This part of …
Read more on Scientists map ‘deepest’ parts of Southern Ocean
18 March, 2019 Claus-Dieter Hillenbrand
Dr Claus-Dieter Hillenbrand tells us more about what happens once a sediment core has been recovered from the seafloor.
12 March, 2019 James France
Dr James France has just completed a week-long flying campaign using one of the BAS Twin Otters fitted with scientific instrumentation. Find out more about his experience.
12 March, 2019
A team of scientists set sail this week (12 March) for the remote South Atlantic islands of Tristan da Cunha and St Helena. This mission is part of BAS’ commitment …
Read more on Marine research expedition sets sail for the South Atlantic
11 March, 2019
Sea-ice conditions have prevented the Research Icebreaker Polarstern from reaching the Larsen Ice Shelf and the calving areas of iceberg A68.
Read more on Expedition to Larsen C ice shelf thwarted by sea ice
7 February, 2019
Water entering the oceans from melting ice sheets could cause extreme weather and a change in ocean circulation not currently accounted for in global climate policies, a new study published …
Read more on Study shows melting ice sheets will disrupt climate
30 January, 2019
Some parents in the animal kingdom can prepare their young for environmental change, helping them cope better in new conditions, a paper published today in Nature Scientific Reports reveals. Scientists …
28 January, 2019
An international team of scientists is travelling to the Amundsen Sea – one of the most vulnerable sectors of the Antarctic Ice Sheet – to answer vital scientific questions about …
Read more on International research expedition heads to West Antarctica
24 January, 2019
A team of scientists and engineers has for the first time successfully drilled over two kilometres through the ice sheet in West Antarctica using hot water. This research will help …
Read more on Scientists drill to record depths in West Antarctica
21 January, 2019
The population of Antarctic krill, the favourite food of many whales, penguins, fish and seals, shifted southward during a recent period of warming in their key habitat, new research shows. …
Read more on Antarctic krill population contracts southward as polar oceans warm
21 January, 2019
British Antarctic Survey scientist Professor Richard Phillips has been awarded funding to use newly developed radar-detecting tags to track the interactions between wandering albatrosses and fishing vessels in the South …
Read more on New funding uses seabirds as sentinels of South Atlantic
17 January, 2019
A new study of the animals living in polar oceans reveals which are most at risk from climate change. The study is published today (17 January) in Frontiers in Marine …
Read more on New study looks at risk to Antarctic marine life in future
16 January, 2019
Around one billion people depend on water resources originating from the Hindu-Kush Karakoram Himalayan region, attributable to both rainfall and melting of snow and ice. The wind in the valleys …
10 January, 2019
A team of scientists and engineers from British Antarctic Survey and the University of Cambridge has successfully drilled over 650 metres in to an Antarctic ice cap to obtain an …
Read more on Scientists complete remote ice core drilling mission
9 January, 2019
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2019/20 season are invited from UK-based researchers. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) provides fieldwork opportunities for scientists …
Read more on Opportunities for Antarctic research – Apply now
19 December, 2018
Of the known non-native or ‘alien’ species found in Antarctica, a non-biting species of midge currently presents one of the highest risks to terrestrial ecosystems, researchers have found. The preliminary …
13 December, 2018
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists have been awarded funding to enable them to assess the impact of emissions from shipping and to quantify and manage the risk of climate hazards. …
Read more on Funding to assess shipping emissions and climate hazards
12 December, 2018 Nadescha Zwerschke
ICEBERGS2 – a research cruise and my gateway to Antarctica Nadescha Zwerschke is a marine biologist travelling on the RRS James Clark Ross to Antarctica I’ve only recently started my …
Read more on Blog: A research cruise and my gateway to Antarctica
10 December, 2018
A new study of snowfall across Antarctica provides vital information in the study of future sea-level rise. A team of scientists from NASA and British Antarctic Survey (BAS), describes how …
Read more on Increased snowfall in Antarctica buffers sea-level rise
5 December, 2018
Results of a new study on Antarctic seabirds shows a larger percentage of their populations inhabit important nesting sites around Ryder Bay, close to British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Station than …
Read more on Seabird populations on Antarctic Peninsula unexpected
19 November, 2018
A team of UK and U.S. polar scientists are about to embark on one of the largest joint Antarctic missions for more than 70 years. It’s the first field season …
Read more on Ambitious UK-U.S. Antarctic research mission begins
14 November, 2018
Scientists have discovered an area near the South Pole where the base of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is melting unexpectedly quickly. Using radar to look through three km of ice, …
Read more on Discovery of high geothermal heat at South Pole
7 November, 2018
Fresh water freezing onto the bottom of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets leads to the formation of spectacular plume-shaped features, according to new research published today (7th November) in …
1 November, 2018
Scientists have used detailed high-resolution satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies’ DigitalGlobe, to detect, count and describe four different species of whales. Reported this week in the journal Marine Mammal …
30 October, 2018
Science and support teams from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are gearing up for the start of the Antarctic summer field season. A major focus for the season is the West …
25 October, 2018 Norman Ratcliffe
Norman Ratcliffe, a seabird biologist at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), studies the biology of seabirds and how this is impacted by climate change. Read this blog to find out about …
22 October, 2018
BAS marine researchers join nearly 300 international delegates at the annual meeting of the Convention on the Conservation or Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) beginning in Hobart today. For the …
Read more on Scientists join policy makers to discuss conservation