Page 3 – British Antarctic Survey - News

World’s experts report on tackling biodiversity and climate change

10 June, 2021

A workshop report published today (10 June) by 50 of the world’s leading biodiversity and climate experts states that unprecedented changes in climate and biodiversity, driven by human activities, have …

Antarctica wasn’t as cold during the last ice age as previously thought, new study shows

4 June, 2021

A study of two alternative methods for reconstructing ancient temperatures has given climate researchers a better understanding of how cold it was in Antarctica during the last Ice Age, around …

Antarctic Digital Database – May 2021 update

18 May, 2021 Laura Gerrish

Welcome to the new Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) blog series, updating our users about each update of the datasets in the ADD and about other pieces of work happening in …

James Clark Ross moored at new Rothera Wharf

Rothera Research Station’s new wharf achieves first CEEQUAL award in Antarctica

13 May, 2021

Award reflects project’s excellent environmental approach to biodiversity and sustainability. A new 74 metre wharf at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station has achieved the first CEEQUAL award in …

A flock of seagulls are standing in the snow

BAS staff recognised with Royal Society Fellowships

6 May, 2021

We are delighted to announce that today (6 May 2021) Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of British Antarctic Survey, and Professor Richard Horne, Head of Space Weather and Atmosphere team, …

An orange submersible is partly visible in the water, with ice floating next to it

Underwater robot reveals how Thwaites Glacier is melting

19 April, 2021

For the first time, researchers have collected data from underneath the remote Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica using an underwater robot.

A group of people standing on top of a snow covered mountain

BAM Nuttall and Sweco in new partnership to upgrade Antarctic Research Stations

23 March, 2021

Construction expert BAM Nuttall, with design consultants Sweco, have won a tender for a new 10-year partnership to take forward an ambitious programme to modernise the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) …

A large red ship in a large body of water

New autonomous robotic for RRS Sir David Attenborough

15 March, 2021

A new unmanned robotic vehicle on the RRS Sir David Attenborough will help scientists to understand the impact of glaciers on sea-level rise.

BAM diggers moving snow for the new Discovery Building

Challenges of Construction in Antarctica

12 March, 2021 Christopher Robert Lloyd

Christopher Robert Lloyd, Site Supervisor for Ramboll, is currently working in Antarctica constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He travelled to Antarctica in December 2020 …

Large red ship in a body of water with rocks in the foreground

RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands

1 March, 2021

Today (Monday 1 March 2021) the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) makes her final call to her home port of the Falkland Islands. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of her 20/21 Antarctic season. …

Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica calves

26 February, 2021

A huge iceberg (1270 km²) the size of the county of Bedfordshire has broken off the 150-m thick Brunt Ice Shelf, almost a decade after scientists at British Antarctic Survey …

RRS James Clark Ross departs Antarctica for the final time

23 February, 2021

On Friday 19 February 2021 the RRS James Clark Ross made her final call to Rothera Research Station. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of the …

Potential for life in lakes isolated beneath Antarctic ice

18 February, 2021

In a study published in Science Advances, researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Lyon and the British Antarctic Survey have shown Antarctic subglacial lakes may be more hospitable …

Life in Antarctica

15 February, 2021 Livia Oldland

Billy Thursfield, Sub-Agent for BAM, is currently working on the construction of the new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building. Here he reflects on working …

Discovery of life beneath Antarctica’s ice shelves

15 February, 2021

Far underneath the ice shelves of the Antarctic, there’s more life than expected, finds a recent study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, published this week (15 February 2021). …

BAS Staff awarded the Polar Medal

4 February, 2021

Three British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was published last week (Friday 29 January) in the London Gazette. Polar Medal: Dr Jeremy Wilkinson …

Opportunities for Antarctic research – Apply now

13 January, 2021

Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2021/22 season are invited from UK-based researchers. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) provides fieldwork opportunities for scientists …

RRS James Clark Ross on route to Antarctica

15 December, 2020

UPDATE 15/12/2020: Opening Signy Research Station RRS James Clark Ross arrived at Signy Island on 15 December. Signy Island is one of the remote South Orkney Islands, which lie more …

Polar scientists and staff awarded place names in Antarctica

3 December, 2020

The Government of the British Antarctic Territory today (Thursday 3 December) announces 28 new place names in the Territory

Celebrating Antarctica Day 2020

1 December, 2020

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) celebrates Antarctica Day in 2020 with a series of activities to highlight the importance of Antarctic research and operations during a year that marked the 200th …

Climate extremes drive changes in Antarctic Bottom Water

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 …

A68 iceberg heads towards South Georgia

4 November, 2020

An iceberg is heading towards the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. A68a – the size of the UK county of Somerset – broke off from the Larsen C ice shelf …

Reflections on Isolation

3 November, 2020 Matthew Phillips

Matthew Phillips reflects on his three periods of quarantine this year in preparation for working in Antarctica as Rothera Winter Station Leader. All staff deployed to Antarctica this season will …

Microplastics ‘abundant’ in remote polar seas

23 October, 2020

New study of plastics in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands

RRS Sir David Attenborough departs Cammell Laird for technical sea trials

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 …

Research priorities for effective krill management

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 …

Automated Halley monitors the ozone hole over Antarctica

16 September, 2020

This World Ozone Day, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) celebrates new technology which enables continuous monitoring of the ozone hole over Antarctica. Readings from the Dobson Ozone Spectrophotometer at Halley Research …

A man on a boat with icebergs and the sea in the background

Dr Huw Griffiths awarded SCAR Medal for Education and Communication

7 August, 2020

Please join us in congratulating Dr Huw Griffiths, Marine Biogeographer at British Antarctic Survey, who has been awarded the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Medal for Education and Communication. …

Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space

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 …

A research ship on the sea with a whale in the foreground

Monitoring whales 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 …

People on a snowy mountain range holding a rainbow flag

Pride Day declared on 18 November

27 July, 2020

The Government of the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) celebrate the contribution of LGBTQ+ people by declaring 18 November …

Diversity in UK Polar Science – Polar Horizons Meeting Report

14 July, 2020 by Donna Frater, Huw Griffiths, Pilvi Saarikoski

A potted history of Antarctic diversity

14 July, 2020 Jane Rumble

BLOG. Jane Rumble, Head of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Polar Regions Department talks about a new initiative to enhance diversity in UK Polar Science

A research base lit up in an icy landscape in the dark

Celebrating Midwinter’s Day in Antarctica

19 June, 2020

British Antarctic Survey are this Sunday (21 June) celebrating Midwinter’s Day in Antarctica. In a tradition which began more than one hundred years ago with Captain Scott, the event marks …

British Antarctic Survey season plan for 2020-21

9 June, 2020

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reveals more detail about its Antarctic season operational plan for the 2020-21 season. COVID-19 continues to present BAS with a …

Antarctic homecoming – responding to COVID-19

6 June, 2020

Over the next few days, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research and support teams will return from Antarctica to UK after a 20-day sea voyage on board a charter ship and …

A body of water with a mountain in the snow.

Climate change will turn coastal Antarctica green

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 …

Sub-Antarctic island celebrates Shackleton Day with New Wharf for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

20 May, 2020

The completion marks the latest milestone for the £140m UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme commissioned by UKRI-NERC and undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, dominated by …

Isolation Stories from Antarctica

18 May, 2020 Emily Neville

There is a lot that’s unique about Antarctica. It’s the coldest, windiest and least populated of the world’s continents. It’s the highest continent on Earth and the world’s largest desert. …

Updated Mapping Datasets for Antarctica

12 May, 2020

A newly updated Antarctic Digital Database is released today (12 May 2020). Aimed at the science and logistics communities, the maps include updates to the ice shelf front around Thwaites …

Earth Day 2020: The Song of the Ice

22 April, 2020

*Did you miss the live event on 22 April? The recording is now available to watch below, or on Youtube via: https://youtu.be/8r3xdrp5GGI* Online launch of The Song of the Ice …

The RRS James Clark Ross moored at the new wharf at Rothera Research Station

New Antarctic Wharf Ready for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

16 April, 2020

A new £40 million wharf to moor the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been used by polar ships for the first time at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in …

PODCAST – Iceworld, Episode 5 – Seals from Space

9 April, 2020 Robert Taylor

Episode 5: Seals from Space In Episode 5 of Iceworld, Rob Taylor is joined by Prem Gill who has just completed two weeks of fieldwork as part of his PhD …

New building at Rothera breaks ground

30 January, 2020

In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first sighting of Antarctica by the British naval officer Edward Bransfield on this date in 1820, a new building to facilitate the …

Blog: South Georgia whale expedition in full swing!

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 …

Predicting non-native ‘invasions’ in Antarctica

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 …

Festive Greetings from Antarctica

20 December, 2019

As you make the last preparations for the festive period, spare a thought for those who will be working away in Antarctica for British Antarctic Survey. Over 300 staff, scientists …

Antarctica: Getting Ready for RRS Sir David Attenborough

19 December, 2019

A major modernisation programme at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station begins its second ‘summer season’ this month with the arrival of a 60-plus person team from BAM. Construction …

New high-precision map of Antarctica’s bed topography

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 …

Studies highlight fragility of Antarctic ecosystems

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 …

Scientists head to Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier

14 November, 2019

Nearly 100 scientists and support staff depart this week (13 November 2019) for the most ambitious mission to date for Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. In the second year of …

Space weather study wins accolade

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 …

PODCAST – Iceworld, Episode 1 – Maps

1 November, 2019 Robert Taylor

Mapping in Antarctica – podcast

Study recommends special protection of emperor penguins

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 …

New report reveals state of the planet

26 September, 2019

MONACO: Hundreds of scientists and Government representatives met in Monaco this week to finalise the new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a …

Warming up the Antarctic: Harder than you think

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 …

Antarctic krill use ‘hotspots’ for their young

25 July, 2019

New research, published this week (24 July 2019) in the journal PLOS ONE, shows how Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a key species in the Southern Ocean food web, choose different …

A propellor areoplane next to the flags of the Antarctic Treaty nations, behind the south pole marker

Reaffirmed international commitment to Antarctic Treaty

11 July, 2019

PRAGUE 11 July 2019 Twenty-nine nations today [11 July 2019] reaffirm their commitment to the treaty that protects and preserves Antarctica as a continent for peace and science. Sixty years …

Discovery of rare lava lake on remote sub-Antarctic island

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.

Engineers automate science from remote Antarctic station

25 June, 2019

A remote and unoccupied research station in Antarctica has, for the first time, collected important scientific measurements of climate, ozone and space weather thanks to ground-breaking technology developed by British …

A group of people standing on top of a snow covered slope.

Midwinter Celebrations in Antarctica

21 June, 2019

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are celebrating Midwinter’s Day in Antarctica. In a tradition which began in the days of Captain Scott, today’s event (Friday 21 June) marks the shortest, and …

Boaty McBoatface (Autosub Long Range) at its first Antarctic deployment into the Weddell Sea off RRS James Clark Ross

Boaty McBoatface sheds light on warming ocean abyss

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 …

A large body of water with a mountain in the background.

Solar heat drives rapid melting of Antarctic Ice Shelf

29 April, 2019

A section of the world’s largest ice shelf in Antarctica – around the size of Spain – is melting 10 times faster than average and warm ocean currents beneath it …

“Core on deck” – Analysis begins

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.

Expedition to Larsen C ice shelf thwarted by sea ice

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.

Halley Research Station closes for 2019 Antarctic winter

27 February, 2019

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Halley VI Research Station has closed for the 2019 Antarctic winter after a successful summer field season. It will re-open again in November this year. The …

Persistence and brilliant engineering

15 February, 2019 Nadescha Zwerschke

Nadescha Zwerschke is a marine biologist, who was travelling on the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) as part of the ICEBERGS 2 cruise in December 2018. Having left Burdwood Bank …

A group of people riding on the back of a horse in the snow.

British Antarctic Survey celebrates its 75th birthday

4 February, 2019

February 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the origins of British Antarctic Survey, which began when the secret wartime mission “Operation Tabarin” arrived in Antarctica and set up base. This was the start of a permanent UK scientific presence in Antarctica.

A polar bear swimming in a body of water.

Seals to act as sentinels of remote Antarctic glacier

29 January, 2019

Scientists will use two species of seals to investigate a huge glacier in West Antarctica that is at risk of collapse. A team of over 20 polar scientists from the …

Drilling for success

29 January, 2019 Michael Dinn

In January 2019 a science and engineering team drilled over two kilometres through the ice sheet in West Antarctica using hot water. It was the first time they had done this …

International research expedition heads to West Antarctica

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 …

New study looks at risk to Antarctic marine life in future

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 …

Digging begins in construction of new Antarctic wharf

14 January, 2019

First digging has begun to deconstruct the old wharf at Rothera Research Station as part of modernisation work to transform the way British Antarctic Survey delivers frontier science

A body of water with a mountain in the background.

The impact of ‘alien’ species in Antarctica

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 …

British Antarctic Survey seeks small passenger aircraft for Antarctica

18 December, 2018

British Antarctic Survey is seeking to purchase a small passenger aircraft to work alongside its de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Series 110 (Dash 7). The aircraft will transport science and support teams and cargo between Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and Punta Arenas, Chile.

‘Sounds of Space’ from Antarctica feature in space simulation game

11 December, 2018

Amazing, natural, ‘sounds of space’, have been incorporated into the new exploration gameplay in Elite Dangerous

Summer fieldwork begins at Halley

11 December, 2018

Halley opens for 2018 summer field season

Blog: The artistry of Antarctic logistics

6 December, 2018 Stephen Smith

Earth’s Final Frontier – the title given to the frozen continent by journalists and academics alike, and with good reason. Antarctica stands resolute and alone, separated from mainland South America …

A flock of seagulls standing next to a body of water.

Seabird populations on Antarctic Peninsula unexpected

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 …

A group of people riding skis on top of a snow covered slope.

Ambitious UK-U.S. Antarctic research mission begins

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 …

Living my dream of working in Antarctica

9 November, 2018 Matthew Southworth

Plant operator and enthusiastic environmentalist Matt Southworth finds his dream of working in Antarctica coming true!

Eyes on ice – medical research from Antarctica

2 November, 2018

Medical research in Antarctica

New Antarctic field season begins

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 …

Medical Evacuation Successfully Completed

1 October, 2018

A medical evacuation from the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station was successfully completed this weekend. The evacuation was a precautionary measure in order for the patient to be …

Practice makes perfect

26 September, 2018

The construction team responsible for building a new Antarctic wharf at Rothera Research Station have been practicing full-scale assembly of the 30 tonne steel rigs in Southampton before deployment South. …

World Ozone Day – 16th September

16 September, 2018

The 2018 ozone hole began forming in late August and won’t reach its largest for over a fortnight. Already it covers most of the Antarctic continent, an area of 14 …

Plastic debris on a beach at Bird Island

Plastic solutions: workshop at BAS

10 September, 2018

People, Plastics and the Planet is an international workshop to tackle the global plastic waste problem taking place at British Antarctic Survey’s Aurora Innovation Centre from 18th – 21st September 2018. Organised by BAS, Cambridge University and Value in Enterprise offers the unique opportunity for scientists and entrepreneurs to spend four days developing and testing ideas to address challenges posed by plastics in our environment.

State of the Polar Oceans report published

18 July, 2018

Report published July 2018

The State of the Polar Oceans 2018

17 July, 2018 by Michael Meredith, Andrew Meijers, Eugene Murphy, Mark Belchier, Simeon Hill, Paul Holland, Geraint Tarling, Philip Trathan, John Turner, Jeremy Wilkinson, Layla Batchellier, Linda Capper, Jamie Oliver

British Antarctic Survey archives awarded United Nations recognition

9 June, 2018

A collection of reports and photos from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), documenting the UK’s leading role in the modern era of Antarctic exploration, is being inscribed onto UNESCO’s UK …

UK-Argentina science collaboration agreement signed

16 May, 2018

On Monday 14 May, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the Instituto Antártico Argentino (IAA) signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to provide a formal framework to joint scientific …

A large body of water with a reseach station in the background.

Special issue on how oceans are changing

14 May, 2018

The seas around the Antarctic Peninsula are biologically extremely rich, but are climatically sensitive, having experienced some of the fastest warming globally in recent decades. A special issue of the …

“Hairdryer winds” cause ice melt during Antarctic winter

3 May, 2018

A new study involving scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) suggests for the first time that warm winds are creating large surface melting of ice shelves in Antarctica during the …

A train on a track with smoke coming out of it.

Prestigious international award for oceanographer

30 April, 2018

Professor Mike Meredith wins prize

New study reveals increased snowfall in Antarctica over last two centuries

9 April, 2018

The first comprehensive study of snowfall across Antarctica provides vital information in the study of future sea-level rise. Presenting this week (Monday 9 April 2018) at the European Geosciences Union …

SCIENCE AT SEA: Setting off for the Scotia Sea

15 March, 2018 Zoe Roseby

Zoë Roseby is a member of the science team from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) currently aboard the RRS Discovery. Read on to discover what the team will be investigating in …

ENGINEERING AT SEA: Supporting Marine Science

9 March, 2018 Carwyn Davies

Mechanical engineer Carwyn Davies, from British Antarctic Survey’s Antarctic Marine Engineering (AME) is working onboard the RRS James Clark Ross with our science team to investigate Larsen C Benthos. Find …

Research outputs