10 June, 2025
Antarctica’s emperor penguin population may be decreasing faster than some of the most pessimistic predictions. A new analysis of up-to-date satellite imagery suggests the birds’ numbers declined 22% over a …
Read more on Emperor penguin populations in Antarctica declining faster than thought
5 June, 2025
Antarctica could see a doubling of extreme weather events – such as atmospheric rivers – by 2100, with implications for future sea level rise. A new study published last week …
Read more on Climate change supercharges atmospheric rivers over Antarctica
29 May, 2025
Artificial intelligence sea ice forecasting systems could help predict and protect the migration routes of endangered caribou in the Canadian Arctic, according to a new study. The research, led by …
Read more on New AI tool aids caribou conservation in a changing Arctic
27 May, 2025
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) new scientific support and operations facility, the Discovery Building, is now coming into operational use at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Marking a major milestone …
Read more on Major Antarctic operations hub switches on to support UK polar science
13 May, 2025
This week, the world will mark the 40th anniversary of a moment that changed the course of history: the publication in Nature of ground-breaking research that presented the discovery of …
Read more on Marking 40 years since the discovery of the ozone hole
9 May, 2025
British Antarctic Survey scientists and support staff are coming to the end of another successful Antarctic science season. Teams are now preparing for the transition to winter operations as the …
Read more on Celebrating a successful Antarctic science season
8 May, 2025
Scientists have discovered a glacier in Antarctica committing “ice piracy” – stealing ice from its neighbour in a phenomenon previously thought to take hundreds or thousands of years. Research led …
Read more on West Antarctic glacier observed stealing ice from neighbour
29 April, 2025
A team of British Antarctic Survey (BAS) researchers are presenting the latest polar science at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2025 General Assembly this week (27 April – 2 May). …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey scientists lead polar search at key international conference
28 April, 2025
Cambridge, 28 April 2025: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is hosting a two-day kick-off meeting this week to launch the ambitious new £8.4 million PRESCIENT programme. This major initiative, funded …
Read more on Scientists come together for new ambitious science programme
24 April, 2025
A new study reveals there was a time when massive icebergs, like the ones we see in Antarctica today, were drifting less than 90 miles off the UK coastline. Scientists …
22 April, 2025
British Antarctic Survey’s Net Zero team collaborates with the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling to highlight polar science at major climate conference. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) net zero …
Read more on BAS and CPOM Partner for Innovation Zero World 2025
22 April, 2025
This Earth Day (22 April 2025) the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is spotlighting a new book that showcases the latest scientific insights from the Antarctic. Antarctica and the Earth System, …
Read more on Antarctica’s global impact highlighted in new book
18 April, 2025
Here’s our latest postcard from Rothera Research Station – Discovery Building progress and station life! March was a bustling month at our Antarctic station, with the final flight (of our …
Read more on 18 April 2025: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
4 April, 2025
For the first time, scientists have collected measurements close to a giant iceberg, giving an unprecedented window into the impact of meltwater on the surrounding Southern Ocean and ecosystem. The …
Read more on Underwater robotic gliders provide new insights into the impact of a melting megaberg
21 March, 2025
The waters surrounding South Georgia, nestled beneath glaciated mountains, are among the most biologically rich in the Southern Ocean. In February, a team of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey …
Read more on Groundfish survey reveals key insights into South Georgia’s marine life
20 March, 2025
ANTARCTICA: Scientists have discovered vibrant communities of ancient sponges and corals on the newly exposed seafloor following the calving of the giant A-84 iceberg. This offers new insights into how …
Read more on Thriving ecosystem discovered following iceberg calving
19 March, 2025
The oldest ice ever extracted from Antarctica is on its way to Europe, marking a major milestone in climate science. The ice cores, obtained through the Beyond EPICA – Oldest …
14 March, 2025
Here’s our sixth postcard from Rothera Research Station – Discovery Building progress! Power generation milestone Our Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generators are now operating 24/7 at Rothera Research Station, …
Read more on 14 March 2025: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
13 March, 2025
The most detailed map yet of the landscape beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet has been assembled by a team of international scientists led from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Known as …
Read more on New map of landscape beneath Antarctica unveiled
11 March, 2025
A new study has revealed significant changes in the strength and position of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds over the past 11,000 years. Researchers, including those from British Antarctic Survey …
Read more on Ancient wind patterns reveal future climate risks
5 March, 2025
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has installed and activated two solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems in Antarctica as part of our commitment to reach net zero by 2040. …
4 March, 2025
ANTARCTICA: The world’s largest and oldest iceberg A23a has finally come to a standstill as it appears to have run aground near the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia. The giant …
Read more on World’s largest iceberg grounds near sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia
27 February, 2025
Congratulations to Professor Kate Hendry who has been awarded The Geological Society’s Bigsby Medal for eminent services to geology. The announcement was made today (26 February 2025). Kate is a …
21 February, 2025
Meet Olivier Hubert, the chef bringing culinary excellence to the bottom of the world at British Antarctic Survey’s research stations. From crafting 5,000-calorie meals for polar scientists to hosting Caribbean-themed …
Read more on From Fine Dining to Frozen Frontiers: Life as an Antarctic Chef
17 February, 2025
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) researchers have been selected for funding from The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) to help improve our understanding of climate tipping points. These tipping points …
Read more on Scientists secure funding to study Greenland and North Atlantic climate tipping points
13 February, 2025
A new map of the South Orkney Islands has been released by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) – the first UK published, topographic map of the region in almost 40 years. …
Read more on New map of South Orkney Islands published for the first time in 40 years
12 February, 2025
Here’s our fifth postcard from Rothera, where exciting changes are transforming our largest Antarctic research station this month! A new wind deflector The new Discovery Building is taking shape with …
Read more on 12 February 2025: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
11 February, 2025
Extreme precipitation events in Antarctica, which are mostly dominated by snowfall due to sub-zero temperatures, also include rainfall, according to new research. BAS scientists studying atmospheric rivers – narrow bands …
Read more on New study reveals what brings rainfall to ice shelves in West Antarctica
6 February, 2025
Scientists have discovered microplastics in the snow near some of Antarctica’s deep field camps, revealing how far-reaching plastic pollution has become. While not new, it’s the first time these tiny …
5 February, 2025
Scientists return to the Southern Ocean this week (5 February 2025), as part of the BIOPOLE project, to answer fundamental questions about how nutrients drive the global carbon cycle and …
Read more on Mission to Antarctica seeks answers to critical questions about nutrients and carbon
31 January, 2025
Scientists on the remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia are working to better understand the rich marine life that inhabits the region. This month teams are focusing on two major …
Read more on Scientists study whales and fish to protect South Georgia’s marine ecosystem
29 January, 2025
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey have used ice core records to draw new conclusions about how Antarctica was affected by increased global temperatures over 100,000 …
Read more on Ancient Antarctic ice loss offers insights into future climate scenarios
29 January, 2025
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2025/26 season are invited from UK-based researchers through the Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS). The scheme provides opportunities …
Read more on Opportunities for Antarctic research – apply now!
20 January, 2025
This Blue Monday (20 January), escape the ordinary and apply for the job of a lifetime in Antarctica. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for people to work at its …
Read more on Seriously remote working – applications open for jobs in Antarctica
17 January, 2025
Congratulations to British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff who have been awarded a Polar Medal in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List for their contributions to improving our understanding of Antarctica, …
15 January, 2025
Welcome to our fourth Postcard from Rothera Research Station, giving you an update on the latest progress as we modernise our largest station in Antarctica. Modernisation progress The season is …
Read more on 15 January 2025: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
10 January, 2025
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) has awarded the 2025 Chapman Medal to Dr Nigel Meredith for his world leading and transformative research on plasma waves in magnetospheric physics. The announcement was made …
Read more on Dr Nigel Meredith awarded 2025 Chapman Medal for plasma wave research
9 January, 2025
The fourth Antarctic campaign of the Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice project has achieved a historic milestone this week, by successfully drilling a 2800-metre-long ice core, consisting of ice from the Antarctic …
Read more on Historic drilling project finds ice over 1.2 million years old
3 January, 2025
Rod Arnold, Head of the Air Unit at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for services to Polar Science and …
Read more on New Year Honour for British Antarctic Survey’s Head of Air Unit
19 December, 2024
A new study shows that the ongoing decline in Antarctic sea ice is leading to more heat loss from the ocean to the atmosphere and an increase in storm activity. …
Read more on Declining Antarctic sea ice generating more ocean heat loss and storms
13 December, 2024
ANTARCTICA: The world’s largest and oldest iceberg A23a is on the move. After decades of being grounded on the seafloor and more recently spinning on the spot, the mega-iceberg has …
12 December, 2024
Over 30 researchers from international institutes are working on ice core drilling campaigns in Antarctica to probe the ice sheet’s behaviour, carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, and the Earth’s …
Read more on Antarctic drilling missions seek to understand climate and ice dynamics
9 December, 2024
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff working on the frozen continent are preparing to celebrate the festive season in style. Nearly 300 researchers, engineers, crew and support staff, located across five …
Read more on Spare a thought for those spending Christmas in Antarctica
6 December, 2024
Welcome to our third Postcard from Rothera Research Station, giving you an update on the latest progress as we modernise our largest station in Antarctica. Summer season in full swing …
Read more on 6 December 2024: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
3 December, 2024
A new species of tusk shell, a burrowing marine mollusc, has been discovered in deep, North Atlantic waters by scientists from British Antarctic Survey and the Senckenberg Society for Nature …
Read more on New deep-sea mollusc species co-habits with anemone
27 November, 2024
Polar ice sheets are critical for climate projections, according to new research published today in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Improving understanding of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets …
Read more on Role of polar ice sheets in climate tipping points
26 November, 2024
A project looking at how clouds affect climate change in Antarctica starts its second year of field research this month. The Southern Ocean Clouds (SOC) project, which is part of …
Read more on Cloud scientists take to the skies to solve climate uncertainty
24 November, 2024
From their unmistakable tusks to their characteristic bristles (the envy of many a ‘Movember’ moustache!), the walrus is one of the Arctic’s most iconic species, and today (Sunday 24 November) …
22 November, 2024
A new study examines the risk to whales from ship strikes – the leading cause of death worldwide for the species. Thousands of whales are injured or killed each year …
Read more on Whale-ship strikes reduced if 2.6% of ocean made safer
20 November, 2024
New research shows that increased levels of plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean could reduce the ability of Antarctic krill, a tiny shrimp-like crustacean, to help take CO2 from the atmosphere. The …
Read more on Plastic reduces how krill remove carbon into deep ocean
19 November, 2024
An international research team, led by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has been awarded £3.7M to advance a ground-breaking study on how underwater tsunamis are triggered by glacier calving around Antarctica. …
18 November, 2024
Today (18 November) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) joins global celebrations to mark LGBTQ+ STEM DAY and Polar Pride Day. Polar Pride is a celebration of the contribution of LGBTQ+ people …
15 November, 2024
Today marks the release of The Seventh Continent, a new album from the international Sounds of Space Project that offers a unique aural journey to Antarctica. The album features contributions …
12 November, 2024
A team of researchers are using drones and satellite images from space to count southern elephant seals on the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia. Using remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) …
Read more on Drones and images from space count elephant seals
9 November, 2024
Welcome to our second Postcard from Rothera Research Station, giving you an update on progress as we modernise our largest station in Antarctica. Start of Summer The recent arrival …
Read more on 9 November 2024: Postcard from Rothera Research Station
4 November, 2024
A new season of construction is underway in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Specialist teams are arriving at Rothera, the UK’s largest research station and gateway for international …
Read more on New construction season drives Antarctic modernisation forward
25 October, 2024
British Antarctic Survey has won the Gold Award at the National Building and Construction Awards 2024 for ‘The Project of the Year (£10 million to £25 million)’. Oliver Darke, Director …
Read more on BAS wins national award for runway resurfacing project
24 October, 2024
The Antarctic field season is now underway, marked by the arrival of the first aircraft at Rothera Research Station. And with a new season brings a new roster of innovative …
7 October, 2024
*It’s not too late to sign up to Ticket to Antarctica. Your name can join RRS Sir David Attenborough in the Falkland Islands* Do you dream of visiting Antarctica? Well, …
Read more on Get your Ticket to Antarctica! Your name will go on a journey to the frozen wilderness
7 October, 2024
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is a beneficiary of a major investment in the UK’s network of leading environmental science research centres announced today (8 October). Funding of £8.4 million, from …
Read more on New funding to underpin long-term polar research
4 October, 2024
New research released today in Nature Geoscience reveals that vegetation cover on the Antarctic Peninsula has increased more than tenfold in the past four decades. Researchers from University of Exeter, University …
Read more on Satellite observations show accelerating greening of Antarctic Peninsula
1 October, 2024
A greater understanding of how climate change impacts at a regional level is vital to developing effective climate policies that protect communities from escalating risks. A team, including researchers from …
Read more on Regional data highlights emerging climate change signals
20 September, 2024
New science briefing summarises results of the ambitious international collaboration to study Antarctica’s most worrying glacier Cambridge: A vast area of the Antarctic Ice Sheet continues to retreat as a …
13 September, 2024
Antarctica’s rapidly receding sea ice could have a negative impact on the food supply of seabirds that breed hundreds of miles away from the continent. New research led by the …
Read more on Antarctica’s sea ice could impact seabirds’ food supply
12 September, 2024
Your name will go on a journey to the frozen wilderness! New project seeks to inspire, educate and entertain the public about Antarctica. Do you dream of visiting Antarctica? Well, …
2 September, 2024
Cambridge researchers are set to explore the uncharted depths of life in the extreme cold, with findings that could reshape our understanding of biology and pave the way for future …
Read more on New project to unlock life’s secrets in extreme cold
28 August, 2024
An international team of scientists, including a researcher from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has, for the first time, successfully measured a planet-wide electric field thought to be as fundamental to …
Read more on Rocket launch discovers long-sought global electric field on Earth
13 August, 2024
For the first time, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are publishing their carbon footprint data on their website to increase transparency and help other organisations reduce their carbon emissions. The …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey publishes carbon emissions for 2023/2024
6 August, 2024
The first continent-wide mapping study of plant life across Antarctica reveals growth in previously uncharted areas, and is set to inform conservation measures across the region. Published today in Nature …
Read more on First Antarctic-wide survey of plant life to aid conservation efforts
2 August, 2024
An international research team deployed the uncrewed submersible ‘Ran’ underneath 350 m thick ice. They got back the very first detailed maps covering extensive areas of the underside of a …
Read more on Mysterious patterns revealed on ice shelf bottom
1 August, 2024
An interdisciplinary team of researchers is heading back to Greenland this week (30 July) for the second phase of the Wandel Dal Project. This unique project aims to unravel the …
Read more on Expedition to Greenland will piece together movements of ancient civilisation
1 August, 2024
Professor Lloyd Peck FRS, Science Leader and marine biologist at British Antarctic Survey, has been announced as the 2024 recipient of the SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research. The …
23 July, 2024
Seabirds are among the most threatened creatures globally, often due to incidental mortality (bycatch) in fisheries. Several hundreds of thousands of seabirds are thought to be killed worldwide each year …
17 July, 2024
Scientists have for the first time taken in-situ ocean measurements during the collapse of a giant iceberg in the sub-Antarctic. These new observations reveal how ocean ecosystems may be affected …
Read more on Mega-iceberg melt affects important marine ecosystem
15 July, 2024
This week (Friday 19 July) the UK’s polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough makes its first science expedition to the Arctic. A team will work in south-east Greenland …
Read more on Greenland science expedition aims to unveil critical climate insights
10 July, 2024
Construction teams have completed significant stages of the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme and joined the over-wintering staff for the first time as the 2023/24 summer season ended. The improvements, led by BAM and technical advisors Ramboll will transform future science and operations at Rothera, the UK’s largest polar research station in Antarctica.
Read more on Modernisation milestones achieved in Antarctica
4 July, 2024
For the first time, researchers, including from British Antarctic Survey, have combined unique geological samples with sophisticated modelling to provide surprising insights into when and where today’s East and West …
2 July, 2024
Climate scientists from University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey will be at the 2024 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, showcasing how they are using Antarctic ice cores to unlock …
Read more on Listen to ancient air escaping from polar ice cores at Royal Society
25 June, 2024
Warm water that seeps underneath can melt ice in way not yet included in models A new and worrying way that large ice sheets can melt has been characterised by …
Read more on New tipping point discovered beneath the Antarctic ice sheet
21 June, 2024
Today (21 June) marks the longest night in Antarctica and a very special Midwinter’s Day with 47 people or ‘winterers’ living and working at British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) three winter …
4 June, 2024
Professor Dame Jane Francis, renowned palaeoclimatologist and Director of the British Antarctic Survey, has been elected as President of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Yesterday, Monday 3 June 2024, …
Read more on Professor Dame Jane Francis is new President of Royal Geographical Society
22 May, 2024
In the first successful attempt to calibrate walrus counts from satellite imagery, scientists used drones to validate animal counts in Svalbard, Norway. This International Day for Biological Diversity, the researchers …
Read more on Drones validate walrus counts in satellite images from space
21 May, 2024
New iceberg, the size of the Isle of Wight, is expected to be called A-83 ANTARCTICA – 21 May. A large iceberg (380 km²), about the size of the Isle …
Read more on Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica calves new iceberg
20 May, 2024
Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have found that the record-low levels of sea ice around Antarctica in 2023 were extremely unlikely to happen without the influence of climate …
Read more on Record low Antarctic sea ice ‘extremely unlikely’ without climate change
18 May, 2024
Comprehensive digital maps of Antarctica are now available to all, following the latest update of the Antarctic Digital Database. A new map viewer brings together all of the Antarctic Digital …
Read more on New interactive map of Antarctica available to all
17 May, 2024
Professor Lloyd Peck, Science Leader and marine biologist at British Antarctic Survey, joins over 90 exceptional researchers from across the world in being elected to the Fellowship of the Royal …
Read more on BAS scientist elected as Fellow of the Royal Society
16 May, 2024
The 2023/4 Antarctic field season has wound up and the last of the summer teams are aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough and heading for home. This season not only …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey’s Antarctic field season wraps up
14 May, 2024
British Antarctic Survey has won the Gold Award at the Global FM Awards of Excellence 2024 for ‘The British Antarctic Survey Facilities and Estates team’. Pete Smith (Interim Head of …
2 May, 2024
This week (Thursday 2 May), British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is inviting the public to become ‘penguin detectives’ and spend five minutes counting emperor penguins to help with vital research into …
Read more on ‘Penguin detectives’ required for new counting app
29 April, 2024
British Antarctic Survey, in partnership with the University of Cambridge, will be at the 2024 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, showcasing how, using Antarctic ice cores to unlock the past, we …
Read more on Hold polar ice at Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
25 April, 2024
Record low levels of Antarctic sea-ice in late 2023 resulted in breeding failures in a fifth of the continent’s emperor penguin colonies, according to a new study from British Antarctic …
Read more on Emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica suffer as sea-ice diminishes
16 April, 2024
Scientists have discovered a landscape of rocky hills and smooth plains beneath the remote Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. A team of researchers used seismic imaging to map the area …
Read more on New insights into the bed beneath remote Antarctic glacier
16 April, 2024
Scientists are a step closer to being able to predict when large icebergs will calve in Antarctica. A team of glaciologists will present their new results at the European Geoscience …
Read more on Scientists one step closer to predicting iceberg calving
12 April, 2024
Over 120 scientists and operational professionals working for British Antarctic Survey, based in Antarctica and their headquarters in Cambridge, have received a new qualification to help the polar research institute …
Read more on New carbon literacy milestone achieved on journey to net zero
10 April, 2024
A new trial of Eutelsat OneWeb at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station is providing new opportunities for science, and even live broadcasting. The low Earth orbit service was launched …
21 March, 2024
An expedition to study Antarctic krill and the baleen whales that feed upon them is underway in the Antarctic Peninsula. The team of researchers, who departed the UK a fortnight …
19 March, 2024
Scientists are invited to apply to conduct research on the British Antarctic Survey research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough in May-June 2025. The research ship will undertake two trips between …
Read more on Opportunity to work on RRS Sir David Attenborough
19 March, 2024
Chefs, plumbers and electricians wanted to work in Antarctica. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for new recruits to work at its research stations in Antarctica. Skilled carpenters, chefs, electricians, …
Read more on Are these the COOLEST jobs in the world? Probably.