We want to share news about our research and operational activities with as many people as possible around the world. We write and issue press releases and news stories. Browse our latest news here. If you are a journalist and would like to be added to our news distribution list please contact our Press Office.
Found 1330 items
24 May, 2010
British Antarctic Survey is delighted to announce the election of one of its leading climate scientists, Dr Eric Wolff, to the Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS). Selected for his …
Read more on Dr Eric Wolff elected as Fellow of the Royal Society
5 May, 2010
25th Anniversary of the Discovery of Ozone Hole This week British Antarctic Survey (BAS) commemorates the 25th anniversary of one of its most dramatic scientific discoveries — the ozone hole. …
30 April, 2010
Dr Fausto Ferraccioli, Geophysicist at British Antarctic Survey, has been presented with a Polar Medal by HRH Prince Philip for his continued dedication to science in the Polar Regions. The …
Read more on Fausto Ferraccioli Awarded Polar Medal for Dedication to Science
18 February, 2010
Understanding global climate change through new breakthroughs in Polar research The latest findings from research on Antarctica’s rich marine life are presented this week at the American Association for the …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Diversity of marine species detailed
16 February, 2010
There is a distinctly cosmopolitan feel around British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station this month (February). Science teams from eight countries enjoyed Rothera’s hospitality as they passed through on their …
8 February, 2010
The Polar Medal was awarded to three members of staff in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. Congratulations go to Geophysicist Rob Larter, Chief Pilot Alan Meredith and former Personnel …
8 February, 2010
The open first meeting of the EC Framework 7-funded research programme ice2sea takes place in Krakow, Poland on the 17th & 18th March. A five-year project, involving scientists from 24 …
Read more on First open meeting for EC-funded sea-level rise project
8 February, 2010
As the Antarctic field season continues with the usual mix of exciting research programmes new enhancements to the online satellite image system that improves ship safety and efficiency are launched. …
12 January, 2010
Arctic terns confirmed to have the longest animal migration in the world New information on bird migration is revealed by an international team of scientists who have confirmed that the …
11 January, 2010
New research sheds light on Earth”s coldest temperatures Results from the first detailed analysis of the lowest ever temperature recorded on the Earth’s surface can explain why it got so …
17 December, 2009
New photographs of ice fish, octopus, sea pigs, giant sea spiders, rare rays and beautiful basket stars that live in Antarctica’s continental shelf seas are revealed this week by the …
Read more on New pictures reveal rich Antarctic marine life in area of rapid climate change
8 December, 2009
British Antarctic Survey achieves registration for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has achieved registration for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). Following …
1 December, 2009
The first comprehensive review of the state of Antarctica’s climate and its relationship to the global climate system is published this week (Tuesday 1 December) by the Scientific Committee on …
23 November, 2009
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) launches its new science strategy — Polar Science for Planet Earth — this week (Monday 23 November) at its offices in Cambridge. The new science strategy …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey launches new science programme
20 November, 2009
A UK Antarctic Bill will be announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament today. The Draft Antarctic Bill seeks to further improve the environmental protection and governance of Antarctica, amending …
20 November, 2009
A UK proposal for the designation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering a large area of the Southern Ocean in the British Antarctic Territory, south of the South Orkney …
18 November, 2009
Mysteriously warm times in Antarctica A new study of Antarctica’s past climate reveals that temperatures during the warm periods between ice ages (interglacials) may have been higher than previously thought. …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Warmer spells detected in ice cores
17 November, 2009
Fossil fuel CO2 emissions up by 29 per cent since 2000 The strongest evidence yet that the rise in atmospheric CO2 emissions continues to outstrip the ability of the world’s …
9 November, 2009
Antarctica glacier retreat creates new carbon dioxide store Large blooms of tiny marine plants called phytoplankton are flourishing in areas of open water left exposed by the recent and rapid …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Carbon sinks created by glacier retreat
6 November, 2009
A conference to explore potential biotech development using a unique collection of Antarctic microorganisms takes place in Cambridge on 19 November 2009. The world-leading British Antarctic Survey (BAS), together with …
27 October, 2009
Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, have shown that high energy charged particles that are usually trapped in the Earth’s magnetic …
Read more on Geomagnetic storm analysis to improve chemistry climate models
7 October, 2009
Albatross camera reveals fascinating feeding interaction with killer whale Scientists from British Antarctic Survey, National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Tokyo, and Hokkaido University, Japan, have recorded the first observations …
23 September, 2009
Lasers from space show thinning of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets The most comprehensive picture of the rapidly thinning glaciers along the coastline of both the Antarctic and Greenland ice …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Ice thinning captured by satellites
17 September, 2009
The Cephalopod beak guide for the Southern Ocean, written by Jose Xavier and Yves Cherel and published by BAS, was launched early this month at the Cephalopod International Advisory Council …
28 August, 2009
Members of the operations team at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) tested a new tent for use in the Antarctic at SNO!zone in Milton Keynes this week. The new pyramid tent …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey team tests new equipment at SNO!zone Milton Keynes
28 August, 2009
Heavy-duty vehicles set to be shipped to the Antarctic went on show in Cambridge this week. British Antarctic Survey showcased its unique fleet of vehicles at its offices in Cambridge. …
21 July, 2009
Arctic springtails (Megaphorura arctica) survive freezing temperatures by dehydrating themselves before the coldest weather sets in. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Genomics have identified a suite of …
Read more on Sleeping Beauty, how Antarctic animals survive the extremes
20 July, 2009
New research provides insight into ice sheet behaviour A new study published this week takes scientists a step further in their quest to understand how Antarctica’s vast glaciers will contribute …
7 July, 2009
A statue of a sledge dog, created by sculptor David Cemmick to commemorate an era when huskies supported Antarctic field travel was unveiled at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Cambridge …
Read more on The British Antarctic Survey Husky Sledge Dog Monument unveiled
22 June, 2009
Contemporary art maker, Chris Dobrowolski, who visited Antarctica last year as part of the British Antarctic Survey’s Artists and Writers Scheme is coming to Cambridge to talk about his experiences. …
16 June, 2009
The Antarctic Minkes, a group of three bass guitarists and one saxophonist working at the British Antarctic Survey Rothera Research Station in Antarctica, took part in the first ever Musequality …
Read more on Buskers on ice! Antarctic musicians go out to play – for musequality
5 June, 2009
Coventry University design student Richard Crowter took inspiration from British Antarctic Survey for his final year of his Industrial Product Design degree. His concept ideas for use in Antarctic field …
Read more on Design Student”s concept for Antarctic sledge unveiled
28 May, 2009
Dr Eric Wolff talks to SciencePoles – the scientific website of the International Polar Foundation. Dr. Eric Wolff is the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Louis Agassiz Medal awarded by …
19 May, 2009
An ice chemistry technician at the British Antarctic Survey has been commended for an Inspirational STEM Ambassador Award at the National STEM Ambassadors awards ceremony held at the House of …
Read more on Ice technician commended for communicating Antarctic research
5 May, 2009
New Antarctic seabed sonar images reveal clues to sea-level rise Motorway-sized troughs and channels carved into Antarctica’s continental shelves by glaciers thousands of years ago could help scientists to predict …
24 April, 2009
British Antarctic Survey is delighted to announce the award of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2009 Louis Agassiz Medal to Dr Eric W. Wolff for his outstanding contributions to the …
21 April, 2009
Increasing Antarctic sea ice extent linked to the ozone hole Increased growth in Antarctic sea ice during the past 30 years is a result of changing weather patterns caused by …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Ozone hole link to sea ice extent
6 April, 2009
Wilkins ice bridge snaps Satellite pictures, from the European Space Agency (ESA), revealed that the 40-km (25 mile) long strip of floating ice believed to pin the Wilkins Ice Shelf …
1 April, 2009
A new polar research agreement between the Governments of UK and Canada to share access to polar infrastructure and increase science cooperation paves the way for achieving a greater understanding …
Read more on UK Canada agreement forges ahead with polar science
19 March, 2009
Dr José Xavier is currently taking part in a scientific cruise onboard the British Antarctic Survey vessesl RRS James Clark Ross. From March 2009, he will be based at Bird …
17 March, 2009
Robot submarine searches for signs of melting under Antarctic Ice Shelf A team of British and American scientists has successfully deployed an autonomous robot submarine on six missions beneath an …
16 February, 2009
Earth’s unique, forbidding ice oceans of the Arctic and Antarctic have revealed a trove of secrets to Census of Marine Life explorers, who were especially surprised to find at least …
Read more on Census finds identical species in Arctic and Antarctic
12 February, 2009
Antarctic jobs offer opportunity of a lifetime Trades people looking for a career with a difference should check the national press this week. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) launches a recruitment …
4 February, 2009
Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife Princess Maxima of Orange will visit British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station from 6-10 February 2009. The fact-finding visit …
Read more on Crown Prince of the Netherlands to visit Rothera Research Station
30 January, 2009
A gentoo penguin slumps belly-first on a nest at Damoy, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Nearby some lichen grows across a rock, and schools of krill float through the Southern Ocean. …
Read more on Cold hard complexity: learning to talk in nature’s language
26 January, 2009
Science writer and broadcaster Richard Hollingham meets Dr Robert Mulvaney at the British Antarctic Survey, who explains how collecting ice cores from all over Antarctica gives scientists a unique window …
Read more on How Antarctic ice cores give us clues about Earth’s future climate
12 January, 2009
Reuters reporters Alister Doyle and Stuart McDill are visiting Rothera Research Station to file a series of special reports about the research there. Dr Pete Convey is one of the …
Read more on Reuters news team visit Rothera Research Station
9 January, 2009
Her Majesty the Queen has awarded four members of British Antarctic Survey the Polar Medal for outstanding service to the UK. The Polar Medal was instituted in 1904 for members …
9 January, 2009
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists and colleagues from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS), the Zoological Society of London and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the USA are set to …
Read more on First exploration of Antarctica’s vents and seeps
6 January, 2009
Recognised internationally for his research into the Earth’s past climate, Dr Mulvaney, has led British and collaborative deep-field missions to collect Antarctic ice cores from some of the most inaccessible …
Read more on Glaciologist recognised in New Year Honours List
24 December, 2008
Antarctica Christmas Eve While most of us are enjoying the festive season with our friends and families, British Antarctic Survey science and support teams are enjoying the ultimate white Christmas …
17 December, 2008
Since leaving home a few weeks ago the international science teams investigating Antarctica’s hidden world have been at the Australian Davis, US McMurdo and South Pole research stations preparing themselves …
1 December, 2008
First comprehensive inventory of life in Antarctica The first comprehensive “inventory” of sea and land animals around a group of Antarctic islands reveals a region that is rich in biodiversity …
1 December, 2008
The longest lava flows in the solar system formed mountain ranges across three continents, according to new geological research. Ferrar basalts Called the Ferrar basalts, the rocks formed by the …
1 December, 2008
Listen to Dave Barnes and Katrin Linse talking to Richard Hollingham for NERC’s Planet Earth Online about the remarkable biodiversity around Antarctica’s South Orkney Islands. Related link Biodiversity Podcast on …
3 November, 2008
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP visited British Antarctic Survey on Friday 31 October on a fact-finding mission. In the week that new …
Read more on Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change visit BAS
22 October, 2008
New visualisation of South Georgia A new visualisation tool for exploring the subantarctic islands of South Georgia is unveiled today (22 October 2008). The South Georgia Geographic Information System (SGGIS) …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Interactive map highlights diversity
13 October, 2008
Challenge to discover Antarctica”s hidden world Later this month teams of scientists, engineers, pilots and support staff from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), USA, Germany, Australia, China and Japan will join …
Read more on PRESS RELEASE: Mission to buried mountain range
26 September, 2008
CO2 emissions are booming Scientists will this week (Friday 26 Sept) announce the annual update on the global carbon figures. They report that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels and …
15 September, 2008
In May 1985 in the journal Nature British Antarctic Survey scientists reported their discovery of an ‘ozone hole’ over Antarctica. The United Nations Environmental Programme proclaims 16 September the International …
Read more on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
8 September, 2008
Calling all plumbers and electricians to work in Antarctica British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the world-leading scientific research centre, is seeking a plumber or electrician to work at its Bird Island …
Read more on Calling all plumbers and electricians to work in Antarctica
12 August, 2008
Scientists have gathered data from under and around the sea ice in Antarctica using sensors attached to southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). Small sensors were attached to over 50 seals …
Read more on Seals help reveal secrets of the Southern Ocean
11 August, 2008
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of two Non-Executive members who will join the BAS Board with immediate effect. Professor John Shepherd FRS John Shepherd is a Professorial …
7 August, 2008
A new study has found that parasites contribute to reduced breeding success of seabird populations in the North Sea because they reduce the ability of mothers to rear their sons. …
Read more on Male seabirds suffer at the hand of parasite-ridden mothers
7 August, 2008
A special issue of the international journal Antarctic Science collates, for the first time, the diverse results obtained from the BIOPEARL research cruise (2006) within the Scotia Arc region of …
Read more on First marine biodiversity record for any Antarctic polar sea
17 July, 2008
Antarctic worms, sea spiders, urchins and other marine creatures living in near-shore shallow habitats are regularly pounded by icebergs. New data suggests this environment along the Antarctic Peninsula is going …
11 July, 2008
New evidence has emerged that a large plate of floating ice shelf attached to Antarctica is breaking up, in a troubling sign of global warming, the European Space Agency (ESA) …
19 June, 2008
Tractors, snowmobiles and other vehicles that have seen active service in one of the most remote places on earth go on sale this week. They’ve been used to support British …
27 May, 2008
HRH The Prince of Wales, Rt Hon John Hutton MP, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and senior UK & EU business leaders met this week (Tuesday …
Read more on HRH The Prince of Wales visits British Antarctic Survey
19 May, 2008
Millions of Google Earth users around the world will be able to see how climate change could affect the planet and its people over the next century, along with viewing …
Read more on New vision of climate change through Google Earth
19 May, 2008
Event – climate change, business and policy Date: 27 May 2008 Venue: British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge **In the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales** Scientists, business leaders and politicians …
7 May, 2008
An opportunity to take a leading role in shaping the strategic direction of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is announced this week (7 May). Two business leaders will join the BAS …
Read more on Antarctic leadership challenge – opportunity announced
18 April, 2008
British Antarctic Survey scientists are collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a technique being used by the ESA at Mars that could prove invaluable for studying the stability …
Read more on From Mars to the Earth: Studying ice beneath the surface
18 April, 2008
To find out more about British Antarctic Survey’s ground breaking discoveries visit the press area of our website. On 20 April 2008 The Independent on Sunday offers a free poster …
Read more on Polar Science for Planet Earth – The Independent on Sunday
25 March, 2008
New evidence has emerged that a large plate of floating ice shelf attached to Antarctica is breaking up, in a troubling sign of global warming, the European Space Agency (ESA) …
25 March, 2008
While the northern hemisphere looks forward to spring and summer, Antarctica slips into Winter. On March 5th the RRS Ernest Shackleton left Halley research station; the eleven intrepid winterers have …
18 March, 2008
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig (TUBS), Germany have completed the first ever series of flights by autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) …
Read more on Unmanned aerial vehicles mark robotic first for British Antarctic Survey
12 March, 2008
Ice core scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are joint winners of a major European science prize. The European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) – which retrieved two …
Read more on Prestigious science prize awarded for 800,000 year old ice core
12 March, 2008
Iceberg scouring is a major factor affecting the diversity and abundance of marine benthic communities in Antarctica’s highly dynamic ecosystem. Reporting in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series biologist Dr …
9 March, 2008
Radio waves accelerate electrons within Jupiter’s magnetic field in the same way as they do on Earth, according to new research published in Nature Physics this week. The discovery overturns a …
Read more on New discovery at Jupiter could help protect Earth-orbit satellites
5 March, 2008
Scientists have discovered an Antarctic fish species that adopts a winter survival strategy similar to hibernation. Reporting this week in the journal PLoS ONE, the online journal from the Public …
Read more on Hibernation-like behaviour in Antarctic fish – on ice for winter
28 February, 2008
Boulders the size of footballs could help scientists predict the West Antarctic Ice Sheet’s (WAIS) contribution to sea-level rise according to new research published this week in the journal Geology. …
Read more on Rock studies help crack questions of glacier thinning in West Antarctica
25 February, 2008
Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) living and feeding down to depths of 3000 metres in the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. Until now this shrimp-like crustacean was thought …
21 February, 2008
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has signed a licensing deal with the Cambridge-based eXtreme Instrumentation Limited (Xi). The deal allows Xi to make and sell two innovative devices developed by scientists …
11 February, 2008
The onboard activities of the BAS ship RRS James Clark Ross, currently on a science cruise in the Southern Ocean, are documented in a blog by Portuguese scientist, Jose Xavier. …
Read more on Cool blog: James Clark Ross in the Southern Ocean
1 February, 2008
Join scientists from British Antarctic Survey as they take you on a journey to Antarctica. As part of this year’s Cambridge Science Festival, BAS will host two evening talks at …
31 January, 2008
More evidence of changing weather patterns around the Antarctic Peninsula – a region where climate has changed rapidly over the last 50 years – is published this month in Geophysical …
Read more on New ice core shows more evidence of Antarctic Peninsula change
20 January, 2008
The first evidence of a volcanic eruption from beneath Antarctica’s most rapidly changing ice sheet is reported this week in the journal Nature Geosciences. The volcano on the West …
Read more on First evidence of under-ice volcanic eruption in Antarctica
15 January, 2008
A four-man science team led by British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Dr Andy Smith has begun exploring an ancient lake hidden deep beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet. The lake – the size …
Read more on Exploration of lake hidden beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet begins
14 January, 2008
A series of Special Assignment reports on BAS research from ITV News start today (Monday 14 January). The live reports, plus recorded packages, are expected to trail on lunchtime (1.30) …
Read more on ITV News broadcast live from Rothera Research Station
8 January, 2008
The latest discoveries in Antarctica’s evolutionary biology ranging from single genes to entire ecosystems are described eloquently in a new volume entitled Antarctic ecology: from genes to ecosystems published by …
21 December, 2007
The Polar Medal has been awarded to six British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff for their outstanding achievement and service to the United Kingdom in the field of Polar Research. Awarded …
19 December, 2007
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) 2007/08 field season is underway. The start of the season is marked by the arrival of dozens of scientists – together with tonnes of equipment …
Read more on Hot topics, cool science: new Antarctic field season underway
29 November, 2007
British Antarctic Survey has won a prestigious PR industry award for its use of broadcast media as part of its communications activities. At the CorpComms Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel …
27 November, 2007
A team of researchers from NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) unveiled today (27 Nov 07) the most geographically accurate, …
3 November, 2007
BAS glaciologist David Vaughan will give this year’s prestigious annual science lecture at the Natural History Museum on 27 November. Professor Vaughan’s talk ‘Flood Warning? The Global Impact of Melting …
Read more on Flood Warning? The Global Impact of Melting Ice Sheets
31 October, 2007
A report by the Science and Technology Select Committee published in October praised British Antarctic Survey’s research in the Southern Ocean and quoted it as ‘truly impressive’. The report Investigating …
25 October, 2007
Over 60 leaders from schools, businesses, churches, community groups and universities in Cambridge came together today (25 October) at the British Antarctic Survey to launch the Cambridge Climate Change Charter. …