Mapping and GIS team
The Mapping and Geographic Information Centre provides geospatial information support to BAS science and operations programmes. It takes a leading role in international projects to improve geospatial information resources for Antarctica through new techniques and data sources.
Team priorities
- Provide geospatial information support to BAS science and operations programmes and other external stakeholders
- Develop the geospatial infrastructure for British Antarctic Territory
- Take a leading role in international projects to improve polar geospatial information
Technology, innovation and training
- Pursue opportunities from new geospatial techniques and data sources, developing innovative methods for measuring historical glacier change and detection of wildlife and vegetation
- Satellite imagery, aerial photography and GPS are key data sources for supporting BAS science and operations and new topographic mapping
- Provide the wider Antarctic science and operations community with web –based systems for easy access to geospatial information
Influencing and leading international programmes - Play a key role in international programmes providing accurate and up-to-date sea ice and iceberg information from satellite imagery for polar maritime operations
- Represent UK interests on the International Ice Charting Working Group
- Take leading roles on the SCAR Standing Committee on Geographic Information and Action Group on Remote Sensing
Stakeholder and public engagement
- Publishing topographic maps, and managing the Antarctic Place-names Committee, gazetteer and online map for the FCO supports UK foreign policy interests in Antarctica
- Collaborating with international partners to provide accessible geospatial data sets and resources for the wider Antarctic community
- Publish high quality maps aimed at tourist visitors to Antarctica, in association with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust
- Participate in BAS media and public engagement programmes through public talks and STEM ambassador roles
- Present the work of MAGIC and BAS through scientific and general -interest publications and at national and international events
EC Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service
The Copernicus marine environment monitoring service provides regular and systematic reference information on the state of the physical oceans and regional seas. The observations and forecasts produced by the service …
ESA IAP ArcticSat project
Situational awareness in the Arctic
South Georgia GIS
Visualise and download topographic, management and scientific data for South Georgia.
Polar View
Polar View delivers information about sea ice direct to ships operating in the Southern Ocean.
Antarctic Digital Database
The SCAR ADD is a seamless compilation of topographic data for Antarctica to 60°S. It is the place to go to get data such as Antarctic coastline or contours for working in desktop GIS.
ICEMAR
The EC-funded ICEMAR project is a GMES pilot service delivering sea ice information products directly to ships navigating through sea ice in the Arctic.
Albatrosses from space: wildlife detectives needed!
4 September, 2022
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and RSPB are recruiting albatross detectives to help to search for wandering albatrosses in satellite images taken from space. This is to help us learn more …
BAS mapping data in global collection
19 May, 2022
The latest British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Antarctic Digital Database (ADD) data will be included in a world leading collection of geographic information.
‘Mega iceberg’ releases billions of tonnes of fresh water into ocean
20 January, 2022
Scientists monitoring the giant A68a iceberg from space reveal that a huge amount of fresh water was released as it melted around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. An …
Space technology and artificial intelligence to monitor whale mass stranding events
18 November, 2021
An international team of scientists led by British Antarctic Survey have published research today on using new technology to study mass stranding of whales from space and how the technology …
WALRUS FROM SPACE: Animal spotters wanted to join mass survey!
14 October, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and WWF are seeking the public’s help to search for walrus in thousands of satellite images taken from space, with the aim of learning more about …
Climate change risk to emperor penguins
3 August, 2021
British Antarctic Survey scientists have contributed to a new study published today (3 August) which provides valuable new data highlighting how emperor penguins extinction risk is increased due to rapid …
Using AI to track whales from space
4 February, 2021
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists will work with an Artificial Intelligence company after being awarded a contract from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to support the protection of an endangered …
Giant iceberg mission begins
2 February, 2021
A research mission to determine the impact of the giant A-68a iceberg on one of the world’s most important ecosystems departs from Stanley in the Falkland Islands today (2 February …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Stranded whales detected from space
17 October, 2019
A new technique for analysing satellite images may help scientists detect and count stranded whales from space. Researchers tested a new detection method using Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite images …
New map of Greenland reveals fast-changing environment
13 June, 2019
Cartographers at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has produced the most detailed and up-to-date published map of Greenland available.
“Catastrophic” breeding failure at one of world’s largest emperor penguin colonies
25 April, 2019
Researchers at British Antarctic Survey have discovered “catastrophic” breeding failure at one of world’s largest emperor penguin colonies.
Watching whales from space
1 November, 2018
Scientists have used detailed high-resolution satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies’ DigitalGlobe, to detect, count and describe four different species of whales. Reported this week in the journal Marine Mammal …
New map of South Georgia wins award
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, …
New satellite imagery reveals new highest Antarctic Peninsula Mountain
11 December, 2017
Cartographers surveying Antarctica have discovered Mt Hope is the tallest mountain in the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) at 3,239 m (10,654 ft) above sea level. Until now, maps showed Mt …
New map of South Georgia unveiled
24 August, 2017
A team of cartographers at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has re-produced a high-resolution updated map of the sub-antarctic island of South Georgia. The island, situated at 37°W 54°10’S is a …
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.
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 …
Penguin colonies at risk from erupting volcano
6 July, 2016
A volcano erupting on a small island in the Sub Antarctic is depositing ash over one of the world’s largest penguin colonies.
On the ice opportunity for PhD students and Early Career Researchers
7 April, 2016
16 PhD students and Early Career Researchers have a unique opportunity to gain practical skills for working safely and effectively in the polar regions.
NEWS STORY: New maps show unseen world
25 September, 2014
New maps of the polar regions reveal unseen world beneath the ice and highlight dramatic decline in Arctic sea ice cover New maps of the sub-ice features in Antarctica and …
NEWS STORY: Emperor Penguins’ adaptation skills
24 June, 2014
New research using satellite images reveals that emperor penguins are more willing to relocate than previously thought A new study led by the University of Minnesota offers new insights on …
NEWS STORY: Award for innovative map
3 October, 2013
Map makers rewarded for stunning recreation of Antarctic without ice A colourful British Antarctic Survey map has won a coveted award. The map, created by the institution’s MAGIC (Mapping and …
NEWS STORY: Bedmap opens up Antarctica
8 March, 2013
Bedmap2 gives scientists a more detailed view of Antarctica”s landmass Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey have been working with a host of international collaborators to present the most detailed …
NEWS STORY: Queen Elizabeth land
18 December, 2012
UK names part of Antarctica in honour of the Queen The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has announced that the southern part of British Antarctic Territory has been named Queen Elizabeth …
International ice experts caution that ‘Open’ Arctic shipping routes does not mean ice-free waters
21 October, 2011
Ice experts from agencies from nine countries this week issued a statement urging marine and shipping companies operating in the region of the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route …
Polar View in the Antarctic
8 February, 2010
As the Antarctic field season continues with the usual mix of exciting research programmes new enhancements to the online satellite image system that improves ship safety and efficiency are launched. …
PRESS RELEASE: Interactive map highlights diversity
22 October, 2008
New visualisation of South Georgia A new visualisation tool for exploring the subantarctic islands of South Georgia is unveiled today (22 October 2008). The South Georgia Geographic Information System (SGGIS) …
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
16 October, 2007
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists have spotted a huge iceberg, which has broken off from Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica. The iceberg, …
PODCAST – Iceworld, Episode 5 – Seals from Space
9 April, 2020 by 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 …
PODCAST – Iceworld, Episode 1 – Maps
1 November, 2019 by Robert Taylor
Mapping in Antarctica – podcast
Carbon and lipid contents of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus entering diapause in the Fram Strait and their contribution to the boreal and Arctic lipid pump
28 June, 2022 by Anna Belcher, Geraint Tarling, Gabriele Stowasser, Jennifer Freer, Laura Gerrish
The boreal copepod Calanus finmarchicus sequesters substantial amounts of carbon (C) in the deep layers of the North Atlantic Ocean through their contribution to the “lipid pump.” This pump is…The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2 (IBCSO v2)
7 June, 2022 by Alexander Tate, Alice Fremand, Hamish Pritchard, Kelly Hogan, Peter Fretwell, Robert Larter
The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is a region that is key to a range of climatic and oceanographic processes with worldwide effects, and is characterised by high biological productivity and…Read more on The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2 (IBCSO v2)
Whales from space dataset, an annotated satellite image dataset of whales for training machine learning models
27 May, 2022 by Hannah Cubaynes, Peter Fretwell
Monitoring whales in remote areas is important for their conservation; however, using traditional survey platforms (boat and plane) in such regions is logistically difficult. The use of very high-resolution satellite…
Quantifying the causes and consequences of variation in satellite‐derived population indices: a case study of emperor penguins
19 April, 2022 by Philip Trathan, Peter Fretwell
Very high-resolution satellite (VHR) imagery is a promising tool for estimating the abundance of wildlife populations, especially in remote regions where traditional surveys are limited by logistical challenges. Emperor penguins…Observing the disintegration of the A68A iceberg from space
1 March, 2022 by Laura Gerrish
Icebergs impact the physical and biological properties of the ocean where they drift, depending on the degree of melting. We use satellite imagery and altimetry to quantify the area, thickness,…Read more on Observing the disintegration of the A68A iceberg from space
Benthic biodiversity, carbon storage and the potential for increasing negative feedbacks on climate change in shallow waters of the Antarctic Peninsula
17 February, 2022 by Belinda Vause, David Barnes, Terri Souster, Laura Gerrish, Lloyd Peck, Simon Morley, Terri Souster
Seafloor biodiversity provides a key ecosystem service, as an efficient route for carbon to be removed from the atmosphere to become buried (long-term) in marine sediment. Protecting near intact ecosystems,…
Evolutionary constraints on physiology confound range shift predictions of two nacellid limpets
1 February, 2022 by Laura Gerrish, Simon Morley
Physiological comparisons are fundamental to quantitative assessments of the capacity of species to persist within their current distribution and to predict their rates of redistribution in response to climate change.…Climate mitigation through biological conservation: Extensive and valuable blue carbon natural capital in Tristan da Cunha’s giant Marine Protected Zone
16 December, 2021 by Chester Sands, David Barnes, Gareth Flint, Louise Ireland, Simon Morley
Carbon-rich habitats can provide powerful climate mitigation if meaningful protection is put in place. We attempted to quantify this around the Tristan da Cunha archipelago Marine Protected Area. Its shallows…Cetacean strandings from space: Challenges and opportunities of very high resolution satellites for the remote monitoring of cetacean mass strandings
18 November, 2021 by Hannah Cubaynes, Jennifer Jackson, Peter Fretwell
The study of cetacean strandings was globally recognised as a priority topic at the 2019 World Marine Mammal Conference, in recognition of its importance for understanding the threats to cetacean…Finding Antarctica’s Pole of Inaccessibility
18 October, 2021 by Adrian Fox, Laura Gerrish
Antarctica’s Pole of Inaccessibility (Southern Pole of Inaccessibility: SPI) is the point on the Antarctic continent farthest from its edge. Existing literature exhibits disagreement over its location. Using two revisions…
The call of the emperor penguin: Legal responses to species threatened by climate change
1 October, 2021 by Philip Trathan, Peter Fretwell
Species extinction risk is accelerating due to anthropogenic climate change, making it urgent to protect vulnerable species through legal frameworks in order to facilitate conservation actions that help mitigate risk.…ExtremeEarth meets satellite data from space
26 August, 2021 by Andrew Fleming, Andreas Cziferszky
Bringing together a number of cutting-edge technologies that range from storing extremely large volumesof data all the way to developing scalable machine learning and deep learning algorithms in a distributed…
Experimental determination of reflectance spectra of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in the Scotia Sea
1 August, 2021 by Anna Belcher, Geraint Tarling, Gabriele Stowasser, Louise Ireland, Peter Fretwell, Sophie Fielding
Antarctic krill are the dominant metazoan in the Southern Ocean in terms of biomass; however, their wide and patchy distribution means that estimates of their biomass are still uncertain. Most…Remote sensing phenology of Antarctic green and red snow algae using WorldView satellites.
16 June, 2021 by Lloyd Peck, Peter Convey, Peter Fretwell
Snow algae are an important group of terrestrial photosynthetic organisms in Antarctica, where they mostly grow in low lying coastal snow fields. Reliable observations of Antarctic snow algae are difficult…
Discovery of new colonies by Sentinel2 reveals good and bad news for emperor
1 June, 2021 by Philip Trathan, Peter Fretwell
The distribution of emperor penguins is circumpolar, with 54 colony locations currently reported of which 50 are currently extant as of 2019. Here we report on eight newly discovered colonies…Read more on Discovery of new colonies by Sentinel2 reveals good and bad news for emperor
The ExtremeEarth software architecture for Copernicus earth observation data
17 May, 2021 by Andrew Fleming, Andreas Cziferszky
Current deep learning architectures for remote sensing are trained on small datasets typically using 1 GPU without taking advantage of new innovative approaches such as distributed scale-out deep learning. In…Read more on The ExtremeEarth software architecture for Copernicus earth observation data
Artificial Intelligence and big data technologies for Copernicus data: The EXTREMEEARTH project
17 May, 2021 by Andrew Fleming, Andreas Cziferszky
ExtremeEarth is a three-year H2020 ICT research and innovation project. Its main objective is to develop Artificial Intelligence and big data technologies that scale to the large volumes of big…
Changes in prey fields increase the potential for spatial overlap between gentoo penguins and a krill fishery within a marine protected area
1 March, 2021 by Andy Wood, Andrew Fleming, Mark Belchier, Norman Ratcliffe, Simeon Hill, Sophie Fielding, Susie Grant
AIM: Management of competition with predators is an important consideration for fisheries, particularly within marine protected areas (MPAs) where conservation is a primary objective. We aimed to test whether static…
