Researchers from British Antarctic Survey discovered 12 previously unknown volcanoes in the Southern Ocean, with 5km diameter craters and 7 active volcanoes. The findings provide new insights into underwater volcanic activity and its potential hazards like tsunamis.
A new study reveals that Antarctic krill feed on iron-rich fragments from the sea floor, releasing it into the water and stimulating phytoplankton growth. This process enhances the ocean's natural storage of carbon dioxide, with implications for managing commercial krill fisheries.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey discovered that copepods use a remarkable transformation of their oily body fluids to adjust buoyancy, similar to whales' 'diver's weight belt'. This adaptation allows copepods to overwinter in deep waters without wasting energy on constant swimming.
The study reveals South Georgia's unparalleled biodiversity, with over 1445 species recorded from 17,000 specimens. The region's near-surface waters are experiencing rapid warming, making conservation efforts crucial to monitor future changes and protect this unique ecosystem.
Scientists analyzed annual growth bands in Antarctic bryozoans collected by Captain Scott and found increased carbon uptake and storage since 1990. This growth is linked to greater food availability, with phytoplankton being the primary source of energy.
Researchers from UCLA and British Antarctic Survey have found the link between electrons trapped in space and the diffuse aurora. The discovery of VLF waves as the primary cause will help scientists understand 'space weather' and its effects on the Earth's atmosphere.
A study published in Global Change Biology found similarities in bryozoan species on the continental shelves of the Ross and Weddell seas, separated by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. This suggests that these regions were connected by a trans-Antarctic seaway in the recent past, possibly as recently as 125,000 years ago.
Scientists have discovered a 300m high ridge on the sea floor beneath Pine Island Glacier, causing it to accelerate its flow into the sea. The glacier's thinning ice allows warm ocean water to melt the underside, contributing nearly 10% of global sea level rise.
Scientists from over 60 countries present research on the impact of human activities on land-based plants and animals in Antarctica. The study found that changes in ocean currents are linked to wind patterns around Antarctica, affecting the ecosystem.
Scientists have identified over 6,000 unique species on the sea-floor, with many adapting to changing environmental conditions. Krill populations are reducing due to decreasing sea-ice cover, shifting the food web balance and affecting penguins that breed on the ice.
A new study of Antarctica's past climate suggests that temperatures during interglacial periods may have been up to 6°C warmer than the present day. This finding could help understand rapid Antarctic climate changes and their connection to greenhouse gases.
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey have discovered a new natural carbon-absorption mechanism in Antarctica, where large blooms of phytoplankton are thriving in areas left exposed by rapid glacier melting. This process stores approximately 3.5 million tonnes of carbon each year, which could help mitigate climate change.
Scientists have recorded the first observations of albatrosses feeding alongside marine mammals at sea. The miniature digital camera attached to four black-browed albatrosses shows them foraging in groups while collecting food for their chicks, and provides the first observation of an albatross feeding with a killer whale.
Satellite lasers have created a comprehensive picture of rapidly thinning glaciers along the coastline of both Antarctica and Greenland. The most profound ice loss is attributed to glaciers accelerating as they flow into the sea, with this phenomenon now reaching all latitudes in Greenland and intensifying on key Antarctic coastlines.
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey and University of Durham describe a new 3D map created from radar measurements, revealing features in the landscape beneath a vast river of ice. The study provides insight into how ice streams behave and how they might change in the future.
Scientists have successfully mapped emperor penguin breeding colonies in Antarctica using satellite images, providing a reliable indication of their location through visible guano stains. The study identified 38 colonies, with 10 new discoveries, and will enable researchers to monitor population changes over time.
Scientists capture the most comprehensive set of sonar images of Antarctica's seafloor around the Amundsen Sea embayment, providing new insights into past ice flow and potential future sea-level rise. The findings indicate that the controlling mechanisms of the Antarctic ice sheet are more complex than previously thought.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey and NASA found that the ozone hole has strengthened surface winds around Antarctica, leading to greater flow of cold air over the Ross Sea. This resulted in a small increase in sea ice extent in West Antarctica, contrary to the expected effects of greenhouse gas increases.
An international team will explore subglacial Lake Ellsworth in Antarctica for unique life forms and clues about climate change. The five-year project aims to acquire technologies needed to sample water from the lake and extract sediment from its bed, shedding light on life's existence in extreme environments.
A comprehensive 'inventory' of life in Antarctica has revealed over 1200 known marine and land species, including sea urchins, free-swimming worms, crustaceans, and birds. The study found surprising high biodiversity in the region, with many temperate and tropical species present.
A new study suggests that iceberg scouring in Antarctic waters is increasing, posing a significant threat to marine life. The duration of winter sea ice has dramatically declined over the past few decades, leading to more frequent iceberg disturbances on the seabed.
A new discovery at Jupiter could help protect Earth-orbiting satellites by understanding how electrons are accelerated within the planet's magnetic field. The research found that very low frequency radio waves can accelerate electrons up to high energies inside Jupiter's magnetic field, similar to the way they do on Earth.
Scientists discovered an Antarctic fish species that enters a dormant state similar to hibernation to conserve energy during the long winter. The study showed that the fish reduces its metabolic rate even when seawater temperature doesn't decrease, suggesting alternative drivers for this behavior.
Researchers collected boulders from three glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment, a region experiencing rapid ice sheet changes. The study's findings provide a long-term picture of glacier behavior and help improve computer models to predict future sea-level rise.
Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill thriving in deep waters, down to 3000 meters, contrary to earlier assumptions about their surface-dwelling nature. This finding sheds light on the complex behavior of marine organisms and highlights the importance of exploring the deep sea to understand our planet.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a subglacial volcano beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which erupted around 2000 years ago. The discovery provides vital insights into the ice sheet's dynamics and its potential impact on sea-level rise.
Researchers analyzed high-resolution data from loggers on wandering albatrosses' legs, showing they land on the water at simpler random intervals. This challenges previous findings about Lévy flight behavior in animals like deer and bumblebees.
A recent study reveals that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) growth has increased by 35% faster than expected since 2000, primarily driven by inefficient fossil fuel use and declining natural sinks. This acceleration in CO2 growth poses significant challenges for achieving stabilization of atmospheric CO2 levels.
New research suggests that Antarctic plant and animal life has a striking ability to survive global climate change. The findings contradict current reconstructions of past glacial ice extent and highlight the importance of integrating biological evidence into climate models.
Researchers used sensors attached to 85 seals to track their movements and collect data about the marine environment. The results show that elephant seals adopted different strategies to find food, visiting colder waters nearer the continental shelf.
New research finds that cold-blooded Antarctic marine animals, such as the limpet, cannot efficiently grow or increase growth rates in warmer water. This suggests they may struggle to cope with predicted temperature increases, potentially affecting biodiversity.
New research reveals hundreds of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers are flowing faster, with a 12% increase in speed from 1993 to 2003. Climate warming is melting lower glaciers, causing them to slide faster and further contributing to sea level rise.
A recent study published in Nature reveals the discovery of over 700 new species in the Antarctic deep sea, including carnivorous sponges and crustaceans. The research suggests that the glacial cycle led to an intermingling of species from shallow and deep water habitats, redefining our understanding of ocean evolution.
A new European satellite project, Polar View, is contributing to the International Polar Year by offering real-time monitoring of polar regions. The project provides comprehensive services to over 40 international users, including government agencies and commercial interests, to help guide responses to environmental and human pressures.
Researchers have discovered a drumlin, a mound of sediment and rock, actively forming and growing under the ice sheet in Antarctica. The study, using time-lapse seismic surveys, reveals the drumlin grew ten times faster than expected, providing new insights into the drag on the underside of the ice.
Research reveals tidal motion affects West Antarctic Ice Sheet's largest ice stream, the Rutford Ice Stream, causing it to vary its speed by up to 20% every two weeks. This phenomenon, related to ocean tides and gravitational effects of the sun and moon, has important implications for predicting sea level rise.
Scientists have gained unprecedented insight into the internal structure and melting rate of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf using phase-sensitive radar. The results show that an average of 1m of ice is melted from the bottom of the ice shelf every year, with no signs of change due to replenishment by upstream ice flow.
Scientists confirm the first direct evidence of human-induced link to Antarctic ice shelf collapse. Stronger westerly winds, influenced by climate change, led to regional summer warming and the break-up of the Larsen Ice Shelf in 2002.
Rising carbon dioxide levels pose unprecedented risks to climate change, as evidenced by an 800,000-year Antarctic ice core record. Human activity has increased CO2 beyond natural ranges, raising concerns about future sinks' effectiveness.
A proposed US system to protect satellites from solar storms could disrupt high frequency radio wave transmissions and GPS navigation globally. The 'radiation belt remediation' system may lead to intense HF blackouts around the world, isolating remote communities for up to seven days.
A new study reveals broad-scale climate change across the Antarctic continent, with temperatures rising over three times faster than global average. The finding suggests that greenhouse gases may have a significant impact on Antarctica's climate system.
Researchers extracted a 3 km long ice core from Antarctica's plateau to study the Earth's climate over the last 740,000 years. The team found that as sea ice extent declined, salt levels rose due to brine expulsion, while dust levels increased in cold times, suggesting South America was drier or windier.
The West Antarctic ice sheet's rapid discharge is making a significant contribution to global sea-level rise. Current computer models do not account for liquid water on ice sheet sliding, leading to conservative estimates of future behavior.
Scientists discovered that Antarctic krill 'parachute' several times during the night, injecting more carbon into the deep sea than previously understood. Krill feed on phytoplankton at night and excrete waste at depth, making them a key player in removing carbon from the atmosphere.
A study by British Antarctic Survey found a six-year time lag between sea temperature changes and whale breeding success. Sea surface temperatures in the Southern Ocean have increased by 1°C over the past 50 years, posing a threat to southern right whales' recovery.
A large and fast-moving lava flow is pouring into the sea on Montagu Island, extending the shoreline on its north side. The event is special because it's rare to observe eruptions under ice sheets, providing unique insights for researchers like Dr John Smellie.
Research reveals that ice sheets scoured the sea floor, erasing whole communities of animals. Seafloor organisms may have emigrated to the deep sea or recolonised the Antarctic shelf during warm periods following ice ages.
A team of British, US, and French scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the behavior of high-energy particles in the Van Allen radiation belts. They found that low-frequency radio waves cause particle acceleration and intensify the belts, contradicting long-held theory.
A new study suggests that the opening of the Drake Passage, a shallow gateway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, led to the formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This current cut off Antarctica from warm southward flowing currents, causing it to freeze and become desolate.
The British Antarctic Survey has selected a futuristic design for the new research station, which features modular construction and renewable energy sources. The winning design won against three other teams that presented innovative concepts for the challenging construction project on Earth.