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 …
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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 …
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 …
Read more on Boaty McBoatface sheds light on warming ocean abyss
17 June, 2019
A new study reveals how marine life around Antarctica will fare in an ocean which has declining levels of oxygen. Writing in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society …
Read more on Antarctic species in the face of a changing ocean
22 May, 2019
A new study highlights that sub-Antarctic seabirds are most at risk from unsustainable fishing during the southern hemisphere winter and in the south Atlantic and Southwest Indian Oceans. The link …
Read more on Fishing hotspots show where sub-Antarctic seabirds at risk
21 May, 2019
ANTARCTICA: At the onset of the Antarctic winter British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station bids farewell to 50 construction workers. They have spent the last six months building the …
13 May, 2019
A new study by BAS scientists and collaborators in the Netherlands shows that seal and penguin poo is key to Antarctic biodiversity on land. By studying concentrations of nitrogen-rich guano …
Read more on Seal and penguin poo is major driver of Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity
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 …
Read more on Solar heat drives rapid melting of Antarctic Ice Shelf
26 March, 2019
New polar ship takes to the water once again
22 March, 2019
A team of researchers led by British Antarctic Survey has for the first time mapped the deepest part of the South Sandwich Trench in the Southern Ocean. This part of …
Read more on Scientists map ‘deepest’ parts of Southern Ocean
13 March, 2019
A major milestone has been reached in the construction of a new wharf at Rothera Research Station. The first of 20 steel frames, forming the skeleten of the new structure, has been lowered into place in a piece of precision engineering.
Read more on Construction of new wharf begins as first frame is lowered into place
12 March, 2019
A team of scientists set sail this week (12 March) for the remote South Atlantic islands of Tristan da Cunha and St Helena. This mission is part of BAS’ commitment …
Read more on Marine research expedition sets sail for the South Atlantic
11 March, 2019
The NERC Arctic Station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, is delighted to be hosting the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme this week (12-14 March 2019), including science editor Tom Feilden and presenter …
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.
Read more on Expedition to Larsen C ice shelf thwarted by sea ice
8 March, 2019
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reflects and celebrates the role of women within our organisation.
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 …
Read more on Halley Research Station closes for 2019 Antarctic winter
26 February, 2019
A new Centre for Doctoral Training, involving researchers from British Antarctic Survey, will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to address critical environmental challenges. Climate change and environmental hazards pose some …
Read more on Using AI to help tackle global environmental challenges
21 February, 2019
Large krill swarms in the Southern Ocean could help remove additional carbon from the atmosphere, in a way that is currently ‘hidden’ in global models. The new study is published …
Read more on Krill swarms responsible for ‘hidden’ carbon storage
7 February, 2019
Water entering the oceans from melting ice sheets could cause extreme weather and a change in ocean circulation not currently accounted for in global climate policies, a new study published …
Read more on Study shows melting ice sheets will disrupt climate
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.
Read more on British Antarctic Survey celebrates its 75th birthday
1 February, 2019
Two British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff have been awarded the Polar Medal, and one member of staff has been awarded a prestigious Second Clasp. The announcement was published at the …
30 January, 2019
Some parents in the animal kingdom can prepare their young for environmental change, helping them cope better in new conditions, a paper published today in Nature Scientific Reports reveals. Scientists …
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 …
Read more on Seals to act as sentinels of remote Antarctic glacier
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 …
Read more on International research expedition heads to West Antarctica
23 January, 2019
A team of Arctic scientists – including British Antarctic Survey (BAS) climate scientist Dr Jeremy Wilkinson – are hosting their Arctic Basecamp in Davos this week (23 January) at the …
Read more on Scientists highlight Arctic at World Economic Forum
21 January, 2019
British Antarctic Survey scientist Professor Richard Phillips has been awarded funding to use newly developed radar-detecting tags to track the interactions between wandering albatrosses and fishing vessels in the South …
Read more on New funding uses seabirds as sentinels of South Atlantic
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 …
Read more on New study looks at risk to Antarctic marine life in future
15 January, 2019
British Antarctic Survey space weather scientist, Dr Mark Clilverd, has been awarded a prestigious award from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in their 2019 Awards. The award recognises Mark as …
14 January, 2019
The British Antractic Survey’s vessel RRS Ernest Shackleton teamed up with the Royal Navy survey ship HMS Protector to help scientists begin a five-year mission to understand how West Antarctica …
Read more on Essential cargo delivered for science on Thwaites Glacier
10 January, 2019
A team of scientists and engineers from British Antarctic Survey and the University of Cambridge has successfully drilled over 650 metres in to an Antarctic ice cap to obtain an …
Read more on Scientists complete remote ice core drilling mission
9 January, 2019
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2019/20 season are invited from UK-based researchers. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) provides fieldwork opportunities for scientists …
Read more on Opportunities for Antarctic research – Apply now
13 December, 2018
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists have been awarded funding to enable them to assess the impact of emissions from shipping and to quantify and manage the risk of climate hazards. …
Read more on Funding to assess shipping emissions and climate hazards
11 December, 2018
Amazing, natural, ‘sounds of space’, have been incorporated into the new exploration gameplay in Elite Dangerous
Read more on ‘Sounds of Space’ from Antarctica feature in space simulation game
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 …
Read more on Seabird populations on Antarctic Peninsula unexpected
23 November, 2018
The DS Wisconsin departs for Antarctica loaded with 4,500 tonnes of kit required to build the new Rothear Wharf
21 November, 2018
‘Ice Flows’, a free-to-use and interactive game, which demonstrates the impact of climate change in Antarctica now has an exciting new feature – explainer videos, narrated by the penguin characters …
7 November, 2018
Fresh water freezing onto the bottom of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets leads to the formation of spectacular plume-shaped features, according to new research published today (7th November) in …
6 November, 2018
Congratulations to Dr Emilie Capron who has been awarded the prestigious Early Career Scientist Award of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). Dr Capron is a palaeoclimatologist at British …
Read more on Prestigious award for BAS early career scientist
22 October, 2018
BAS marine researchers join nearly 300 international delegates at the annual meeting of the Convention on the Conservation or Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) beginning in Hobart today. For the …
Read more on Scientists join policy makers to discuss conservation
12 October, 2018
New funding stream for sustainable observation and unique BAS British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientific capabilities
11 October, 2018
Technology pioneered in Antarctica could soon be providing much-needed data on the amount of ice in the glaciers of High Mountain Asia thanks to an ingenious helicopter-mounted, low-frequency radar developed …
11 October, 2018
Results from a 21-year study into the breeding success of gentoo penguins at a well-known tourist site in Antarctica, reveal a 25% reduction in breeding pairs and a decrease of …
Read more on Study of penguin colonies at Antarctic island shows decline
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 …
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. …
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 …
13 September, 2018
The prestigious Challenger Medal for excellence in marine science has been awarded to British Antarctic Survey (BAS) oceanographer Professor Mike Meredith. Presented every two years by the Challenger Society – …
12 September, 2018
The British Antarctic Survey has been awarded National Capability funds for polar science which will strengthen UK national security, resilience, economic growth and societal benefit
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.
7 September, 2018
British Antarctic Survey’s detailed map of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia featuring the epic “Shackleton Crossing” has won an award at the 2018 British Cartography Society Awards. The map, …
29 August, 2018
UK scientists will join what could be the largest-scale Arctic research expedition ever planned when the German research ship, RV Polarstern, is deliberately lodged into sea ice to drift past …
Read more on BAS scientist joins research ship ‘drifting’ past North Pole
8 August, 2018
Understanding of how Jupiter’s magnetic field interacts with its moons and with intense particle radiation.
Read more on Million fold increase in the power of waves near Jupiter’s moon Ganymede
1 August, 2018
A new ‘heat map’ shows, in unprecedented detail, how geothermal heat is escaping through the Earth’s surface beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. This is critical information for enabling scientists to …
19 July, 2018
BIRKENHEAD. The superstructure of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, is now on top of the hull. Following the launch of the RRS Sir …
Read more on Update – new polar ship superstructure lifted onto hull
16 July, 2018
The majestic red hull of the RRS Sir David Attenborough glided in the River Mersey on Saturday 14 July. The launch button was pressed by the naturalist and broadcaster Sir …
Read more on Launch of RRS Sir David Attenborough – in pictures
2 July, 2018
Science meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) take place over the next two weeks (starting 2 July 2018) at the Cambridge Headquarters of …
Read more on Science meetings on conservation of Southern Ocean
22 June, 2018
Old albatrosses that are more efficient at finding food during migration are more likely to successfully raise young, new research shows. A study led by the British Antarctic Survey, in …
Read more on In old age, efficiency is key to successful parenting
19 June, 2018
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) join over 1500 polar experts in Davos, Switzerland this week, to discuss the big issues and next steps for research in the polar regions. …
Read more on Scientists convene to discuss next steps for polar research
15 June, 2018
Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is one of the fastest-flowing glaciers in Antarctica. Over the last eleven years, four major icebergs have broken off from its floating ice shelf. …
Read more on New maps show why glacier ice front suddenly shrank
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 …
Read more on British Antarctic Survey archives awarded United Nations recognition
30 May, 2018
Fungi in Antarctic soils release carbon that is more than a thousand years old, a team led by scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has found. This discovery sheds light on how carbon is released into the atmosphere as polar regions warm.
Read more on Fungi respire millennium-old carbon from Antarctic soil
29 May, 2018
Leading climate scientist and BAS oceanographer Dr Emily Shuckburgh worked with award-winning author and illustrator Chris Haughton to create the short film Message from Antarctica. This is part of the …
Read more on Hay Festival short film highlights Antarctic climate science
24 May, 2018
Revealing Antarctica’s hidden world
Read more on Subglacial valleys and mountain ranges discovered near South Pole
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 …
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 …
Read more on “Hairdryer winds” cause ice melt during Antarctic winter
30 April, 2018
Professor Mike Meredith wins prize
Read more on Prestigious international award for oceanographer
30 April, 2018
A new UK-U.S. Antarctic research programme to improve the prediction of future sea-level rise is launched this week (Monday 30 April 2018) at British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Cambridge. The £20 …
Read more on Joint UK-U.S. Antarctic programme to study future sea level rise
26 April, 2018
A team of scientists on board the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) has conducted marine biodiversity research around the Island of St Helena with a team of UK based and …
4 April, 2018
Seabirds may struggle to find food for their chicks as they are unable to shift their breeding seasons as the climate warms, a new study suggests. Rising sea temperatures in …
Read more on Warming oceans could put seabirds out of sync with prey
28 March, 2018
This week scientists from University of Manchester have successfully tested their ‘metal-detecting’ technology at the UK NERC Arctic research station at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard as part of a wider project to …
Read more on Successful testing mission at UK Arctic Research Station
16 March, 2018
The RRS James Clark Ross left the Falkland Islands yesterday (15th March) and is travelling towards Tristan Da Cunha, with expected arrival on the 22nd March. The vessel will survey …
Read more on Research cruise heading to study South Atlantic islands
14 March, 2018
A new study concludes that a seafloor dwelling marine invertebrate is more resilient to environmental change than expected. The paper, led by researchers at British Antarctic Survey, is published today …
Read more on Brachiopods resilient to past environmental change
13 March, 2018
The yellow high-tech autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), affectionately known as Boaty McBoatface, has successfully returned from an ambitious science expedition deep below half a kilometre of ice. It is the …
19 February, 2018
The UK government is committed to the long-term protection of over four million km2 of the world oceans which fall within the UK’s Overseas Territories. Prioritising which parts of the …
Read more on Marine habitat maps important for Antarctica’s biodiversity
13 February, 2018
Temperature, salinity and food supply are key influences on the shape of common blue mussels (Mytilus spp.), reveals a new study involving scientists from British Antarctic Survey. The research is …
Read more on Blue mussel shape is a powerful indicator for environmental change
8 February, 2018
The most comprehensive study of the variability of temperature globally is published this week in the journal Nature. It reveals the degree to which temperature fluctuations reduced from the last …
Read more on Most detailed study of global climate variability around the world
5 February, 2018
Our congratulations go to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), who this week celebrate six decades of successful international collaboration.
2 February, 2018
Fifteen research institutes from around the world, including British Antarctic Survey, have joined forces to allow scientists access to their polar ships to carry out marine-based research in the Arctic. …
Read more on Working together to make the Arctic more accessible for science
31 January, 2018
Three British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff have been awarded the Polar Medal, and one member of staff has been awarded a prestigious Second Clasp. The announcement was published last week …
25 January, 2018
A new study of tiny marine snails called sea butterflies shows the great lengths these animals go to repair damage caused by ocean acidification. The paper, led by researchers at …
Read more on Sea butterflies repair shell damage from ocean acidification
23 January, 2018
A team of leading Arctic scientists – including British Antarctic Survey glaciologist Dr Jeremy Wilkinson – are gathering in Davos this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting (23-24 …
Read more on Scientists gather in Davos to highlight Arctic climate change
19 January, 2018
A new study from British Antarctic Survey shows how five common Antarctic marine invertebrates (animals without a backbone) use less energy to feed, grow and reproduce than their temperate and …
12 January, 2018
A new study from the British Antarctic Survey shows how lanternfish, small bioluminescent fish, are likely to respond to the warming of the Southern Ocean. Lanternfish are one of the …
Read more on Lanternfish reveal how ocean warming impacts the twilight zone
5 January, 2018
Our congratulations go to Dr Phil Trathan who has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Southern Ocean science and conservation. Dr …
Read more on New Year Honours for British Antarctic Survey scientist
15 December, 2017
A new study shows that Antarctic krill behave in a way that could accelerate the transport of atmospheric carbon to the deep ocean. Antarctic krill form some of the highest …
Read more on Krill behaviour takes carbon to the ocean depths
12 December, 2017
Professor Dame Jane Francis is appointed Chancellor at University of Leeds
11 December, 2017
A thinning of small areas of floating ice at Antarctica’s coast can accelerate the movement of ice grounded on rocks hundreds of kilometres away, a new study involving scientists from …
Read more on Tiny ice losses at Antarctica’s fringes can accelerate ice loss far away
4 December, 2017
Applications are invited for the Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) for Antarctic fieldwork in the 2018/19 field season. The closing date is 5th March 2018. CASS provides opportunities for UK-based …
Read more on Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme – Applications invited
29 November, 2017
An animation of the giant iceberg that calved off the Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica just over two months ago shows an unexpected break up. Satellite images revealed a …
14 November, 2017
An international study involving British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists has shed light on how the larvae of Antarctic krill – small shrimp-like crustaceans – use sea ice to ensure their …
10 November, 2017
Station opens for 2017 summer season
Read more on Halley VI Research Station ready for 2017 summer season
8 November, 2017
This week (10-11 November) leading scientists and experts from EU-funded research programmes engage with political leaders from the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic to examine the economic and social consequences …
Read more on BAS scientists at 2017 COP23 climate event in Bonn
27 October, 2017
The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) just got another step closer to completion as the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) investigated the aerodynamic performance of Britain’s new polar research vessel using a computer generated ‘virtual wind tunnel’
Read more on The RRS Sir David Attenborough in the virtual wind tunnel
23 October, 2017
Blue Planet II – the nature documentary that explores the deepest and darkest realms of the world’s oceans – is back on the BBC some 16 years after it was …
2 October, 2017
A new multidisciplinary study led by scientists at British Antarctic Study (BAS) stresses the need for an integrated approach to understand the effects of climate change on Antarctic marine ecosystems. …
Read more on New study calls for unified research to understand changing ecosystems