Earth observation

1 to 12 of 48 results

1. Penguin population collapse on volcanic island 

   New research reveals the loss of half a million chinstrap penguins from the Antarctic island of Zavodovski, as scientists fear they may now qualify as an ‘Endangered’ species.

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2. Himalayan floods: avoiding future disasters

   The massive and deadly floods on the Nepal-Tibet border are a stark reminder of why the world needs to constantly update its understanding of the fragile ecosystem in the Himalayas.

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3. The rise of the robots: how autonomous vehicles are transforming polar science

   In the harsh and ever-changing landscapes of the polar regions, autonomous robots are quickly becoming a scientist’s best friend as our tools catch up with our questions.

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4. Researchers head to Greenland for ambitious science mission

   An international team is collecting observations to understand how a melting Greenland is affecting ocean currents, which could cause weather change in UK and Europe

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5. From tsunamis to sheathbills: celebrating a successful season South 

   As the 2025/26 Antarctic science season comes to an end, we look back at our highlights and achievements.

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6. New maps published of Alexander Island, Antarctica

   The Mapping and Geographic Information Centre (MAGIC) at the British Antarctic Survey have produced new maps of the topography (physical features) and geology of Alexander Island in Antarctica.

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7. Satellite observations show accelerating greening of Antarctic Peninsula

   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.

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8. First Antarctic-wide survey of plant life to aid conservation efforts

   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.

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9. Drones validate walrus counts in satellite images from space

   In the first successful attempt to calibrate walrus counts from satellite imagery, scientists used drones to validate animal counts in Svalbard, Norway.

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10. South Georgia seabirds from space

    This project tests whether satellite imagery can be used to monitor breeding seabirds across the island group.

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11. Four new emperor penguin colonies found by satellite

    Scientists from British Antarctic Survey have discovered four previously unknown emperor penguin breeding sites.

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12. Antarctica’s glacial border moves for miles with the tide

    New measurements of how the boundary between onshore glacier and floating ice shelf glides back-and- forth could help predict melting

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