FEATURED PAPER: Icebergs and blue carbon
17 November, 2016
When divers laid a grid of 225 markers on the seabed it started one of the longest marine disturbance experiments anywhere in the world. Surveyed and replaced annually, they show …
Archives: News
FEATURED PAPER: Modelling Gondwana break-up
17 November, 2016
Gondwana break-up changed the global continental configuration, leading to the opening of major oceanic gateways, shifts in the climate system and significant impacts on the biosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere. Although …
Quest begins for oldest ice on Earth
14 November, 2016
First phase of project to collect 1.5 million years of climate data in Antarctica A team of European scientists heads to East Antarctica this month to locate the oldest ice …
New study puts shells under spotlight
11 November, 2016
A new study on how molluscs build their shells in the sub-zero waters of Antarctica is published today (Friday 11 November) in the journal Scientific Reports. A team of European …
UK welcomes agreement on largest Marine Protected Area
28 October, 2016
HOBART, Australia: The world’s experts on Antarctic marine conservation have this week agreed to establish a marine protected area (MPA) in Antarctica’s Ross Sea. At the meeting of the Commission …
Read more on UK welcomes agreement on largest Marine Protected Area
Iceberg scouring disturbs carbon-fixing seafloor ecosystems
27 October, 2016
Shallow-water ecosystems are a major carbon sink, as many species living on the seafloor use carbon to build their tissue and shells. This carbon can become part of seafloor sediment …
Read more on Iceberg scouring disturbs carbon-fixing seafloor ecosystems
Study shows mixed fortunes for Signy penguins
27 October, 2016
A forty year study on a remote Antarctic island shows that while populations of two penguin species are declining, a third is increasing. Analysis of census data from Signy Island …
FEATURED PAPER: Sea-ice reduction
18 October, 2016
A team of British climate scientists comparing today’s environment with the warm period before the last ice age has discovered a 65% reduction of Antarctic sea ice around 128,000 years …
FEATURED PAPER: Tidal controls on ice streams
18 October, 2016
The often large ocean tides around Antarctica can greatly affect the flow of ice streams even long distances upstream of their grounding lines. Observing and modelling this interaction serves as …
New polar ship reaches first construction milestone
17 October, 2016
Keel-laying ceremony at Cammell Laird
Read more on New polar ship reaches first construction milestone
Ancient ice inspires Royal College of Art glass artist
8 October, 2016
Data as art captivates a London audience
Read more on Ancient ice inspires Royal College of Art glass artist
Protecting the Antarctic Environment: 25 years on
4 October, 2016
Celebrating 25 years of environmental protection in Antarctica
Read more on Protecting the Antarctic Environment: 25 years on
Polar ecologist prepares for the ice – Blog no. 1
3 October, 2016
New blog from ecologist Jes Bartlett who’s heading to spend the summer working at Signy Island Research station. Here she talks about preparing cargo in her blog: The Cargo Deadline …
Read more on Polar ecologist prepares for the ice – Blog no. 1
Ship assists satellite missions
26 September, 2016
On 20 September 2016 the British Antarctic Survey ship, the RRS James Clark Ross, set sail on its long voyage from Immingham in the UK to Stanley in the Falkland …
Antarctica’s hidden world revealed at New Scientist Live
22 September, 2016
Research beneath Antarctica’s vast ice sheets has revealed mountain ranges the size of the Alps, lakes bigger than Windermere, rivers, streams and ancient volcanoes. But why should we care? Professor …
Read more on Antarctica’s hidden world revealed at New Scientist Live
FEATURED PAPER: Atmospheric variability & surface temperatures
22 September, 2016
This paper investigates the impact that the four principal patterns of Southern Hemisphere (SH) atmospheric circulation variability have on Antarctic surface air temperature (SAT): 1) the southern baroclinic annular mode …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: Atmospheric variability & surface temperatures
Nature’s ocean fertiliser
20 September, 2016
Scientists have discovered that Antarctic krill – a tiny shrimp-like crustacean – plays a key role in fertilising the Southern Ocean with iron, which stimulates the growth of phytoplankton, the …
Arctic sea ice heading towards second lowest on record
15 September, 2016
This year the extent of summer sea ice in the Arctic is heading towards being the second lowest on record. The Arctic sea ice minimum marks the day – typically …
Read more on Arctic sea ice heading towards second lowest on record
Polar experts offer expertise to the developing world
15 September, 2016
ODA funds – expertise to address major challenges facing the developing world
Read more on Polar experts offer expertise to the developing world
Subantarctic seabed creatures and past climate
1 September, 2016
A new marine biodiversity study in one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world reveals the impact of environmental change on subantarctic seabed animals and answers big questions …
New interactive game ‘Ice Flows’ launches today
23 August, 2016
Researchers and games developers have joined forces to explain how climate change is affecting Antarctica. A new game called ‘Ice Flows’ launches today (Tuesday 23 August) at an international science meeting in Malaysia.
Read more on New interactive game ‘Ice Flows’ launches today
New Antarctic ice discovery aids future climate predictions
16 August, 2016
A team of British climate scientists comparing today’s environment with the warm period before the last ice age has discovered a 65% reduction of Antarctic sea ice around 128,000 years …
Read more on New Antarctic ice discovery aids future climate predictions
New map reveals how little of Antarctica’s rock is ice-free
11 August, 2016
Until now estimates of how much of ice-free rock is exposed in Antarctica were stated as ‘less than 1%’. For the first time scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have …
Read more on New map reveals how little of Antarctica’s rock is ice-free
Review of threats to seabirds
1 August, 2016
A review of breeding distributions, population trends, threats and key priorities for conservation actions on land and at sea for the 29 species covered by the Agreement on the Conservation …
Polar ice reveals secrets of carbon-climate feedbacks
26 July, 2016
An international team of scientists have used air bubbles in polar ice from pre-industrial times to measure the sensitivity of the Earth’s land biosphere to changes in temperature.
Read more on Polar ice reveals secrets of carbon-climate feedbacks
Albatrosses use different regions when on migration
25 July, 2016
A new study of the movements of sub-Antarctic albatrosses tracked from two remote islands some 5,000 km apart, shows that although the birds from each breeding site take similar routes around the Southern Ocean, they forage in different areas for the majority of the time. The results are published this month in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.
Read more on Albatrosses use different regions when on migration
A recent pause in Antarctic Peninsula warming
20 July, 2016
The rapid warming of the Antarctic Peninsula, which occurred from the early-1950s to the late 1990s, has paused. Stabilisation of the ozone hole along with natural climate variability were significant in bringing about the change. Together these influences have now caused the northern part of the peninsula to enter a temporary cooling phase. Temperatures remain higher than measured during the middle of the 20th Century and glacial retreat is still taking place. However, scientists predict that if greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise at the current rate, temperatures will increase across the Antarctic Peninsula by several degrees Centigrade by the end of this century.
Ocean warming primary cause of glacier retreat
14 July, 2016
A new study has found for the first time that ocean warming is the primary cause of retreat of glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula. The Peninsula is one of the largest current contributors to sea-level rise and this new finding will enable researchers to make better predictions of ice loss from this region.
Antarctic exhibition lands at Farnborough
11 July, 2016
The Farnborough International Air Show is the next stop for a touring exhibition which highlights what space missions can learn about the isolation that confronts people who work in Antarctica. …
Penguin colonies at risk from erupting volcano
6 July, 2016
A volcano erupting on a small island in the Sub Antarctic is depositing ash over one of the world’s largest penguin colonies.
First signs of healing in the Antarctic ozone hole
1 July, 2016
An international team of researchers has identified the “first fingerprints of healing” of the Antarctic ozone layer, published this week (30 June 2016) in the journal Science.
Read more on First signs of healing in the Antarctic ozone hole
Wind-blown Antarctic sea ice helps drive ocean circulation
27 June, 2016
Antarctic sea ice is constantly on the move as powerful winds blow it away from the coast and out toward the open ocean. A new study published today in the journal Nature Geoscience (Monday 27 June) shows how that ice migration may be more important for the global ocean circulation than anyone realized.
Read more on Wind-blown Antarctic sea ice helps drive ocean circulation
Shellfish study published this month
27 June, 2016
New technologies and techniques used in a scientific study of the shells of oysters, mussels, clams and scallops reveal clues about how these commercially valuable species may fare in a changing world, and how discarded shells from the aquaculture industry could benefit the environment.
Midwinter’s Day in Antarctica
20 June, 2016
On Tuesday June 21st, scientists and support staff based at research stations in Antarctica will celebrate Midwinter’s Day, the shortest day of the Austral Winter. In a tradition that goes …
Medical evacuation successfully completed
20 June, 2016
The medical evacuation from the US South Pole station via British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station has been completed successfully. A Twin Otter arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile in the …
Carbon dioxide level breached at Halley VI
16 June, 2016
Levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere – which is the leading driver of recent climate change – have reached a milestone at British Antarctic Survey’s …
FEATURED PAPER: Energetic Electron Hazard
13 June, 2016
Energetic electrons are an important space weather hazard. In this paper we apply extreme value analysis to 16 years of operational satellite data from the NOAA Polar Operational Environmental Satellites …
FEATURED PAPER: Battling bryozoans
13 June, 2016
This paper shows that, contrary to long-held ideas, the intensity of competition (density of direct, physical spatial contests) differs little with latitude. However, the severity of competition (contests with a …
Antarctic ‘space’ exhibition opens in Cheltenham
8 June, 2016
An exhibition showing how the isolation of Antarctica is used as a platform for understanding space opens this week (7-12 June) at The Times Science Festival in Cheltenham.
Read more on Antarctic ‘space’ exhibition opens in Cheltenham
UK reaffirms commitment to protecting Antarctica
31 May, 2016
International declaration marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
Read more on UK reaffirms commitment to protecting Antarctica
Antarctic fossils show creatures wiped out by asteroid
26 May, 2016
A study of more than 6,000 marine fossils from the Antarctic shows that the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs was sudden and just as deadly to life in the polar regions.
Read more on Antarctic fossils show creatures wiped out by asteroid
FEATURED PAPER: Improved modelling of ice-ocean processes
19 May, 2016
Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is currently one of the single biggest contributors to sea-level rise with an estimated volume loss of 1.2mm sea-level equivalent per decade. The loss …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: Improved modelling of ice-ocean processes
UK’s £200m Polar Research Ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough
6 May, 2016
UK’s £200m Polar Research Ship to be named after Sir David Attenborough, days before the broadcaster’s 90th birthday “Boaty McBoatface” to live on as the name of the ship’s high-tech …
Read more on UK’s £200m Polar Research Ship named in honour of Sir David Attenborough
Documentary follows BBC’s Peter Gibbs back to the ice
29 April, 2016
BBC Horizon documentary ‘Ice Station Antarctica’ to be broadcast on Wednesday 4 May at 8pm, BBC2.
Read more on Documentary follows BBC’s Peter Gibbs back to the ice
British Antarctic Survey seeks construction partner
28 April, 2016
Opportunity to partner with BAS to deliver a construction programme to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities.
Read more on British Antarctic Survey seeks construction partner
NEWS STORY: Fighting for space on the seabed
26 April, 2016
New research highlights differences between the tropics and the poles Rivalry between species is common the world over as animals fight for territory and resources such as food. But, according …
NEWS STORY: BAS in Swiss-led research programme
20 April, 2016
BAS scientists to take part in Swiss-led Antarctic research cruise Scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are to take part in a research cruise which will circumnavigate the continent of …
Read more on NEWS STORY: BAS in Swiss-led research programme
On the ice opportunity for PhD students and Early Career Researchers
7 April, 2016
16 PhD students and Early Career Researchers have a unique opportunity to gain practical skills for working safely and effectively in the polar regions.
Read more on On the ice opportunity for PhD students and Early Career Researchers
NEWS STORY: Oxygen depletion in the upper waters of the Southern Ocean during glacial periods
31 March, 2016
Research published this week by an international team of scientists, including the British Antarctic Survey, provides new insights into how carbon dioxide changed in the oceans surrounding Antarctica during glacial …
NEWS STORY: Antarctica comes to NHM Tring
22 March, 2016
The Natural History Museum at Tring’s new family exhibition Antarctica asks you to decide whether you could survive the hostile conditions faced by scientists living and working on this fragile …
NEWS STORY: Milestone for new Innovation Centre
18 March, 2016
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff joined forces with building representatives from ISG, colleagues from neighbouring organisations and Cambridge University this week to mark an important milestone in the building of …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Milestone for new Innovation Centre
FEATURED PAPER: Circulation changes off West Antarctica
17 March, 2016
The Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) is a climatological low pressure system located over the southern Pacific Ocean, off the coast of West Antarctica. Atmospheric variability in this region is larger …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: Circulation changes off West Antarctica
NEWS STORY: Suggest a name for new polar ship
17 March, 2016
Got a name for the new polar research ship?
PRESS RELEASE: Assessment of whales’ decline
16 March, 2016
Research shows extent of decline of New Zealand southern right whales The first population assessment since the end of the whaling era reveals that New Zealand southern right whales have …
NEWS STORY: Consultation – polar research priorities for Europe
17 February, 2016
Take part in an online consultation about Europe’s research priorities for the Polar Regions
Read more on NEWS STORY: Consultation – polar research priorities for Europe
NEWS STORY: Lake drainage affected climate
17 February, 2016
The catastrophic release of fresh water from a vast South American lake at the end of the last Ice Age was significant enough to change circulation in the Pacific Ocean …
NEWS STORY: Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme
9 February, 2016
Application deadline approaches The deadline for applications from researchers to the Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme, CASS (formerly known as the Collaborative Gearing Scheme, CGS) is just under three weeks away, …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme
FEATURED PAPER: Polar Vortex teleconnection
26 January, 2016
This paper provides new evidence and proposes a new dynamical mechanism for the teleconnection between the two largest jet streams in the northern winter stratosphere – the tropical wind system …
NEWS STORY: New gravity dataset
23 January, 2016
Scientists now have a new tool to investigate the deep structure of the least understood continent on Earth
PRESS RELEASE: Cool Antarctic jobs
12 January, 2016
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is recruiting now. The smooth operation and maintenance of our research stations depends on skilled technical support teams. Check out our latest vacancies!
NEWS STORY: Polar Medal awards
8 January, 2016
Two British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel, and one former member of staff, have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was made today (Fri. 8th Jan 2016) in the London …
NEWS STORY: New Year’s Honours
1 January, 2016
Dr Emily Shuckburgh, British Antarctic Survey’s Deputy Head of Polar Oceans, was among those named in the New Year’s Honours List. She has been awarded an OBE for services to …
PRESS RELEASE: Antarctic seabird in decline
21 December, 2015
New research shows decline in population and breeding success of Antarctic seabird A fifty year study of the charismatic seabird, the southern giant petrel, on the Antarctic island of Signy …
FEATURED PAPER: Recent snowfall increase
16 December, 2015
This paper reveals that the amount of snowfall in coastal West Antarctica has increased during the 20th century, with annual snow accumulation since the 1990s the highest we have observed …
NEWS STORY: Job opportunities in Antarctica
14 December, 2015
In the coming weeks British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will be advertising a range of specialist technical and support jobs at its Antarctic research stations for the 2016/17 season. Described by …
NEWS STORY: Antarctic memories online
10 December, 2015
The British Antarctic Oral History Project is the result of a collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), BAS Club, UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), and Scott Polar Research Institute …
PRESS RELEASE: COP21 Side Event, ‘Climate Change in the Arctic’
1 December, 2015
BAS Organises Side Event for 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) Journalists wishing to arrange interviews with keynote speakers from this session should contact Heather Martin. As world attention focuses on …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: COP21 Side Event, ‘Climate Change in the Arctic’
NEWS STORY: New Head of Arctic Office appointed
25 November, 2015
coordinating UK Arctic issues, research and logistics.
Read more on NEWS STORY: New Head of Arctic Office appointed
NEWS STORY: New polar ship contract signed
23 November, 2015
The contract for the UK’s new polar research ship was signed NERC’s Chief Operating Office Paul Fox and Cammell Laird Chief Executive, John Syvret CBE on Friday 19 November 2015 …
PRESS RELEASE: New season – ambitious science
23 November, 2015
New season tackles ambitious science and logistical challenges The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2015/16 field season is underway with dozens of scientists and support staff – together with planes and tonnes …
FEATURED PAPER: Improving climate predictions
19 November, 2015
The Earth’s climate was warmer than today by at least 1°C during the Last Interglacial (between 129,000 and 116,000 years ago). Thus, the Last Interglacial represents an invaluable case study …
NEWS STORY: Sea-level rise from Antarctic collapse
19 November, 2015
Sea-level rise from Antarctic collapse may be slower than suggested A new study by scientists in the UK and France has found that Antarctic ice sheet collapse will have serious …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Sea-level rise from Antarctic collapse
NEWS STORY: Changes in seabed communities
16 November, 2015
A new study by an international team of scientists, including from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has analysed the effects on seabed communities of glacial retreat. Writing in Science Advances this …
NEWS STORY: Rothera participates in Live Earth 2015
12 November, 2015
British Antarctic Survey participates in Live Earth 2015 Rothera Research Station band ‘The Skadoos’ has written and performed a song called ‘Holding up the World’ which will be premiered online …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Rothera participates in Live Earth 2015
PRESS RELEASE: West Antarctica snow accumulation
4 November, 2015
West Antarctic coastal snow accumulation rose 30 percent during 20th century Annual snow accumulation on West Antarctica’s coastal ice sheet increased dramatically during the 20th century, according to a new …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: West Antarctica snow accumulation
NEWS STORY: Tender opportunity for drone
27 October, 2015
Tender opportunity for drone to be used in the Polar Regions British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is tendering for the delivery of a long range Unmanned Air System (UAS) for use …
FEATURED PAPER: Improving air quality models
13 October, 2015
Recent research in polar and non-polar regions showed that sun-lit snow packs are important chemical reactors and reservoirs, which strongly influence air quality of the lower atmosphere and likely also …
NEWS STORY: New polar ship bidder selected
12 October, 2015
Government announces preferred bidder to build new polar ship Minister of State for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson announced today that the preferred bidder to build a new polar research …
NEWS STORY: Assessing seabird communities
7 October, 2015
Antarctic seabird community structure remains unaffected by changes in food availability A new study of sub-Antarctic seabirds shows that their community structure (how they co-exist and share resources) is unaffected …
NEWS STORY: New Centre for Doctoral Training
6 October, 2015
NERC funds PhD training in robotics and autonomous systems
FEATURED PAPER: New geological history for Antarctic Peninsula
29 September, 2015
This paper revised the geological history of the Antarctic Peninsula to show how it developed over the last 500 million years, and used this history to tell us about the …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: New geological history for Antarctic Peninsula
PRESS RELEASE: Fungal diversity in Antarctic soils
28 September, 2015
Warmer temperatures stimulate diversity of soil fungi Remote and covered by ice for much of the year the Antarctic Peninsula is home to hidden and dynamic communities of microbes that …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Fungal diversity in Antarctic soils
NEWS STORY: Grant for penguin project
25 September, 2015
BAS scientists awarded grant to study penguins’ reliance on krill Norwegian and British scientists are to take part in a research project to determine how dependant non-breeding penguins are on …
PRESS RELEASE: Sea bed life captures carbon
21 September, 2015
Antarctic sea bed life captures carbon as sea ice melts Colonies of tiny filter-feeding Antarctic marine creatures (bryozoans), that appear to be thriving in response to a reduction in sea-ice …
NEWS STORY: Arctic sea ice 2015
17 September, 2015
Arctic sea ice 2015 On September 11, the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) reported that Arctic sea ice reached its likely minimum extent for 2015. The minimum ice …
NEWS STORY: Ocean life triggers ice formation in clouds
9 September, 2015
Researchers from the Arctic Research Programme, managed at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), have shown for the first time that phytoplankton (plant life) in remote ocean regions can contribute to rare …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Ocean life triggers ice formation in clouds
NEWS STORY: Antarctic stamps mark Queen’s milestone
9 September, 2015
A major scientific discovery made by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists, as well as one of its ships, feature on a new set of stamps being released to mark Queen …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Antarctic stamps mark Queen’s milestone
NEWS STORY: Explaining sea lion decline
4 September, 2015
The southern sea lion population of the Falkland Islands witnessed a dramatic decline during the last century with numbers falling by 95 per cent between the 1930s and 1960s. It …
FEATURED PAPER: Ocean upwelling and increasing winds
2 September, 2015
As the southern westerly winds drive the Antarctic circumpolar current around Antarctica, deep waters are forced up to the surface south of the polar front. Changes in the intensity with …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: Ocean upwelling and increasing winds
NEWS STORY: Predicting polar ice loss
28 August, 2015
Most comprehensive ice loss model A new international study is the first to use a high-resolution, large-scale computer model to estimate how much ice the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could …
NEWS STORY: Tender to construct Aurora Cambridge
20 August, 2015
Tender for the construction and fit of a new Innovation Centre at British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge
Read more on NEWS STORY: Tender to construct Aurora Cambridge
NEWS STORY: Bird tracking aids seabird research
18 August, 2015
Bird tracking technology reveals future climate may affect seabird feeding behaviour A two year study of shags on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve in Scotland reveals that when …
Read more on NEWS STORY: Bird tracking aids seabird research
FEATURED PAPER: Glacier response to ice shelf collapse
12 August, 2015
In February 2002, satellite images from a remote location in Antarctica revealed how an immense volume of floating ice, up to 1km thick, suddenly collapsed. Over the course of a …
Read more on FEATURED PAPER: Glacier response to ice shelf collapse
PRESS RELEASE: Scent matters to fur seals
10 August, 2015
Antarctic fur seals have unique ‘scent profile’ to recognise their pups Researchers studying Antarctic fur seals have discovered their scent has a unique ‘profile’ which enables them to recognise their …
NEWS STORY: NERC to invest £16m in Arctic Ocean change research
30 July, 2015
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced it will invest £16m in research to study the effects of dramatic changes in Arctic ice cover over the last three decades on …
Read more on NEWS STORY: NERC to invest £16m in Arctic Ocean change research
NEWS STORY: New website
28 July, 2015
Welcome to our new website! We’ve given our website a makeover so that you can find everything you need or want to know about polar science and operations. There are …