Page 4 – British Antarctic Survey

Climate change may cause expansion to ice-free areas across Antarctica

29 June, 2017

Ice-free areas in Antarctica could expand by close to 25 per cent by 2100 and drastically change the biodiversity of the continent, research published this week in Nature has shown. …

Boaty McBoatface returns home with unprecedented data

28 June, 2017

Researchers have captured unprecedented data about some of the coldest abyssal ocean waters on earth – known as Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) – during the first voyage of the yellow …

Storms caused massive Antarctic sea ice loss in 2016

23 June, 2017

A series of unprecedented storms over the Southern Ocean likely caused the most dramatic decline in Antarctic sea ice seen to date, a new study finds. Antarctic sea ice – …

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

Midwinter’s Day 2017

21 June, 2017

As darkness cloaks Antarctica, science and support staff wintering across the white continent will today celebrate Midwinter’s Day – the shortest day in the Austral winter. With some staff experiencing …

Team discovers sub-glacial lake from over 20,000 years ago

20 June, 2017

Researchers have provided new evidence that large sub-glacial lakes existed under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the last glacial period – around 20,000 years ago – a period when …

A body of water with a mountain in the background.

Plastic pollution in the Antarctic worse than expected

19 June, 2017

The levels of microplastic particles accumulating in the Antarctic are much worse than expected, a team of experts has warned. The continent is considered to be a pristine wilderness compared …

A couple of people that are standing in the snow.

Horizon Antarctica Ice Station Rescue on BBC Two

6 June, 2017

Horizon documentary ‘Antarctica Ice Station Rescue’ broadcasts on Wednesday 7 June @ 21:00 on BBC Two In 2016 British Antarctic Survey (BAS) invited BBC film-maker Natalie Hewit to its Halley …

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

Guest blog: exploring polar governance

18 May, 2017 Klaus Dodds

On March 27 2017, British Antarctic Survey played host to a lively and well attended workshop on polar governance. Throughout the day an array of scientists, social scientists, and humanities …

A group of people standing on top of a mountain.

New insight into what weakens Antarctic ice shelves

25 April, 2017

New research describes for the first time the role that warm, dry winds play in influencing the behaviour of Antarctic ice shelves. Presenting this week at a European conference scientists …

A bird standing next to a body of water.

Penguin colony repeatedly decimated by volcanic eruptions

11 April, 2017

One of Antarctica’s biggest gentoo penguin colonies was repeatedly decimated by eruptions of the Deception Island volcano in recent millennia.

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

The first dive of Boaty McBoatface

7 April, 2017

The unmanned submersible Boaty McBoatface was deployed in the Antarctic for the first time.

Poor outlook for Antarctic biodiversity

28 March, 2017

An international study involving scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has debunked the popular view that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are in a much better environmental shape than the …

Rifting in Larsen B Ice Shelf before its breakup in 2001

New footage shows crack in Larsen C Ice Shelf

21 February, 2017

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) recently captured this video footage of a huge crack in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Currently a huge iceberg, roughly the size …

Local weather plays part in retreat of glacier

17 February, 2017

Local weather plays an important part in the retreat of the ice shelves in West Antarctica, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications today (Friday 17 February). …

Antarctic sea ice extent lowest on record

16 February, 2017

This year the extent of summer sea ice in the Antarctic is the lowest on record. The Antarctic sea ice minimum marks the day – typically towards end of February …

New study reveals what penguins eat

15 February, 2017

The longest and most comprehensive study to date of what penguins eat is published this month. The study, published in the journal Marine Biology, examines the diets of gentoo penguins …

Halley VI Research Station – relocation success

2 February, 2017

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has successfully relocated Halley VI Research Station to its new home on the Brunt Ice Shelf. Operational teams have spent the past 13 weeks moving each …

A group of people riding skis down a snow covered slope.

Expedition to uncover the ‘lost’ meteorites of Antarctica

31 January, 2017

Scientists from University of Manchester are preparing for the first ever UK-led meteorite hunting expedition to Antarctica, where they will seek out the ‘lost’ meteorites of the icy continent, which …

Scientists explain how meltwater reaches ocean depths

30 January, 2017

An international team of researchers has discovered why fresh water, melted from Antarctic ice sheets, is often detected below the surface of the ocean, rather than rising to the top …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Arriving at the Polar plateau

23 January, 2017 Holly Winton

A new blog post from atmospheric and glaciochemist Markus Frey who’s just arrived on the Polar plateau as part of the ISOL-ice research project. Read the team’s earlier post here. …

Study of roundworm that returns to life after freezing

20 January, 2017

The first molecular study of an organism able to survive intracellular freezing (freezing within its cells) is published this week by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), in collaboration with researchers from …

Halley Research Station Antarctica to close for winter

16 January, 2017

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has decided not to winter at Halley VI Research Station for safety reasons. The station, which is located on the floating Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, …

A man riding a snowboard down a snow covered slope.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Working on the Polar Plateau

15 January, 2017

A new blog post from a team comprising polar atmosphere and ice chemist Holly Winton, analytical chemist Rebecca Tuckwell and atmospheric and glaciochemist Markus Frey who are working on the …

BLOG: Arriving at the Polar plateau

13 January, 2017

A new blog post from atmospheric and glaciochemist Markus Frey who’s just arrived on the Polar plateau as part of the ISOL-ice research project. Read the team’s earlier post here. …

Royal Astronomical Society honours BAS scientist

13 January, 2017

Dr Mervyn Freeman, Senior Space Weather Researcher at British Antarctic Survey, has been awarded the prestigious Chapman Medal in Geophysics by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). The medal recognises his …

A person sitting on top of a snow covered mountain.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: The Journey South

11 January, 2017 BAS Communications

A new blog post from ecologist Jes Bartlett, who is working at Signy research station for the Austral summer, about her journey South. Read her previous post about pre-deployment training here. …

A bird standing on a snow board on a body of water.

Giant iceberg set to calve from Larsen C Ice Shelf

6 January, 2017

A huge iceberg, roughly the size of Norfolk, looks set to break away from the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula. Larsen C is more than twice the size …

Double New Year Honours for British Antarctic Survey Directors

31 December, 2016

Two leading polar scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have received awards in the 2017 New Year Honours list from Her Majesty the Queen. BAS Director, Professor Jane Francis, …

Sounds of Christmas from Bird Island

25 December, 2016

Dr Lucy Quinn is zoological field assistant at the British Antarctic Survey research station on Bird Island, South Georgia – a job which involves daily expeditions come rain or shine …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Journey to the Polar plateau

20 December, 2016 Holly Winton

Our journey to the Antarctic Polar Plateau, where we will be spending the next few weeks as part of the ISOL-ICE research project, began on 7 December. We boarded a …

Drake Passage Blog

24 November, 2016 Yvonne Firing

Follow ORCHESTRA project scientist Yvonne Firing’s amazing fieldwork blog from the Southern Ocean here. On the 2016/2017 Drake Passage cruise on the RRS James Clark Ross, we sail south from …

New study shows when Pine Island Glacier retreat began

23 November, 2016

New study reveals when West Antarctica’s largest glacier started retreating Reporting this week (Wednesday 23 November) in the journal Nature an international team led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) explains …

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 …

A flock of seagulls are standing in the snow

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 …

Adelie penguins on Rothera Point, Adelaide Island, Antarctica.

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 …

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 …

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 …

New polar ship reaches first construction milestone

17 October, 2016

Keel-laying ceremony at Cammell Laird

Polar ecologist prepares for the ice – Blog No 2

13 October, 2016 BAS Communications

New blog from ecologist Jes Bartlett who will be spending the Austral summer working at Signy Island Research station. Here she describes her pre-deployment training. Shortly after the sigh of …

A group of people that are standing in the dark.

Ancient ice inspires Royal College of Art glass artist

8 October, 2016

Data as art captivates a London audience

Protecting the Antarctic Environment: 25 years on

4 October, 2016

Celebrating 25 years of environmental protection in Antarctica

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Countdown to sun-up

5 August, 2016 Richard Inman

As the winterers at Halley VI look forward to seeing the sun come up above the horizon again, electrical services technician, Richard Inman describes how they’ve been coping with the …

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.

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. …

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.

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.

A body of water with trees in the night sky.

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 …

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

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: 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 …

Black-browed Albatross colony (Thalassarche melanophrys) at Colony Q1 on Bird Island. Black-browed Albatrosses feed on Krill, fish and squid and tend to forage around the edge of the continental shelf of South Georgia.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Typical week at Bird Island Station

10 June, 2016 Timothy Morley

Tim Morley, Zoological Field Assistant at Bird Island, shares a typical week at Bird Island Research Station as he prepares for midwinter…. With many of our species finishing breeding for …

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.

A group of people that are standing in the snow.

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

The southernmost front of Pine Island Glacier

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 …

RRS Sir David Attenborough, ship visualisation

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 …

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 …

Angelika brandt et al. standing around a table.

SHIP BLOG: Heading for home

31 March, 2016 Susie Grant

The ship’s science labs have all been packed up and cleaned, kit boxes stowed in the container, cargo paperwork finished and cruise reports written. The SO-AntEco team is ready to …

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 …

A group of people working on a large boat

SHIP BLOG: Rhythm of the night

25 March, 2016 Hilary Blagbrough

Oh look it’s snowing/raining and getting dark… it must be time for the Night Shift. I’m Hilary, the night shift leader on the SO-AntEco scientific cruise to the South Orkney …

A group of people standing in front of a crowd posing for the camera.

SHIP BLOG: Science Week questions answered from the Southern Ocean

23 March, 2016 Susie Grant

Last week was UK Science Week, and we asked schools and anyone else who had burning questions about the Antarctic deep sea to send them to us here on the …

Lenticular clouds over James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula.

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 …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: The many “hats” of a polar scientist

17 March, 2016 Harriet Clewlow

Life on Signy Island has been pretty hectic for the last couple of weeks with multiple ship visits, saying goodbye to old colleagues, welcoming new base personnel and, in between, …

A group of people that are standing in the rain.

SHIP BLOG: Lost in a Sea of Biology

16 March, 2016 Laura Robinson

Lost in a Sea of Biology! Dr Laura Robinson is interested in documenting and understanding the processes that govern climate on time scales ranging from the modern day back through hundreds of …

Search and Rescue on Bird Island

23 February, 2016 Jerry Gillham

Bird Island Research Station has a small staff team; no more than 10 in summer and just four over winter. We have no doctor on station though all staff receives …

Life on the sub Antarctic island of South Georgia

19 February, 2016 Jamie Coleman

Life on the sub Antarctic Island of South Georgia working for BAS is an amazing experience. South Georgia has the perfect combination of spectacular landscape and incredible wildlife. We have millions …

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

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Signy season gets underway!

12 February, 2016 Alex Taylor

Despite being one of BAS’s smallest stations, I would argue that Signy is one of the most remote. Situated in the South Orkney Islands, at a relatively northerly 60 degrees …

Adelaide Island from Rothera and clouds relectd in a calm sea

ANTARCTIC BLOG: meet Ali – Rothera’s lab manager

8 February, 2016 Ali Massey

I am sat gazing with child-like wonder through my office window at the huge snow-flakes falling outside and, despite the fact that the snowstorm is obscuring my usual spectacular view …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: BBC arrives at Halley #3

5 February, 2016 Athena Dinar

“I feel like I’m home” says BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs as he sets foot on the Brunt Ice Shelf. It’s an emotional moment for him; the last time he …

A man walking across a snow covered mountain.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #10

4 February, 2016 Stephen Roberts

One of the aims of the ANiSEED project is to find and map evidence that, in the past, ice has covered the mountains here in Marie Byrd Land. To do …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #9

29 January, 2016 Iain Rudkin

January the twenty sixth. My pre-deployment brief suggested that I should currently be partaking of all the luxuries Rothera Research Station has to offer. Enjoying that period of self-satisfaction which …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #8

27 January, 2016 Joanne Johnson

Reflections from the ANiSEED team in Marie Byrd Land Field Guide Al Docherty recounts his most memorable day of the field season so far: “7am the alarm goes off. I look …

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

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #7

27 January, 2016 Joanne Johnson

Every person who works in Antarctica has a different experience and takes away different memories because our perception is shaped so much by our previous life experiences. The four of …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: BBC enroute to Halley #2

27 January, 2016 Athena Dinar

Ten days ago we left Cape Town on the RRS Ernest Shackleton bound for Antarctica. Today we hit the ice. And quite literally we are hitting the ice! The ship …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Science from the air #5

26 January, 2016 Tom Jordan

Wrapping up I have started several of my blog posts saying I am writing in various odd/unusual/uncomfortable locations…the back of a Twin Otter, or in a mountain tent high on …

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

ANTARCTIC BLOG: BBC crew enroute to Halley #1

19 January, 2016 Athena Dinar

Antarctica is extraordinary. It is a continent of superlatives – breathtaking, beautiful, hostile, awe-inspiring and life-changing. A trip to the ice always gets under my skin. It somehow puts my …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Science from the air #3

15 January, 2016 Tom Jordan

One week on from departing Rothera into the field and the first leg of the PolarGAP survey at FD83 is almost over, I get to sit back, relax a bit …

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!

A person riding a snowboard down a snow covered slope.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #6

11 January, 2016 Joanne Johnson

The challenges of glacier travel The ANiSEED project field area lies between two of the most rapidly changing glaciers in Antarctica, the Smith and Kohler Glaciers. These have thinned more …

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 …

A sunset over a body of water with a mountain in the background.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Science from the air #2

6 January, 2016 Tom Jordan

The altimeter in the front of the Twin Otter aircraft is showing 8500 ft as we cruise due south from Rothera research station for the next leg in our PolarGAP …

A group of clouds in the sky over a snow covered mountain.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #5

5 January, 2016 Joanne Johnson

Greetings from Marie Byrd Land! The waiting is over….we finally arrived at our field site on 11th December, after a 4 hour flight from Sky Blu one of BAS’s fuel …

A BAS camp of small tents in an icy landscape

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Polar guide tackles the long wait #6

4 January, 2016 Ashly Fusiarski

Life in Antarctica can be difficult but strangely the more difficult it is, the easier it becomes. Life starts to be simple. One only has to do whatever it takes. The …

Emily shuckburgh wearing a hat and smiling at the camera.

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 …

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Ocean meets air #1

23 December, 2015 Thomas Barningham

Welcome to my blog. My name is Thomas Barningham and I’m currently in the third year of my PhD at the University of East Anglia. My work aims to understand …

footprints in the snow alongside Reptile Ridge

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 …

The Dash 7 flying over Ryder Bay before coming into land at Rothera Research Station.

ANTARCTIC BLOG: Extreme Geology #4

12 December, 2015 Joanne Johnson

Geologist Jo Johnson waits patiently to go deep-field

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 …

Research outputs