10/21/2026 | Heiner Kubny
Spitsbergen’s glaciers release methane from the subsoil
Silje Waaler takes a water sample from the glacial stream at the end of the Svalbreen glacier on Spitsbergen. Researchers have found elevated concentrations of methane in such meltwater. The methane originates mainly from ancient rock layers beneath the ice and is transported out of the glacier with
10/21/2026 | Heiner Kubny
When forests still burned at the South Pole
An artist’s reconstruction of an Antarctic landscape around 90 million years ago: during the Cretaceous period, the climate near the South Pole was significantly warmer, with dense forests and wetlands. Charcoal particles in sediments show that this vegetation was repeatedly affected by forest fires
10/20/2026 | Heiner Kubny
Faster Glaciers Are Accelerating Greenland’s Ice Loss
Icebergs and pack ice off the Jakobshavn Isbræ on Greenland’s west coast. This massive outlet glacier transports large amounts of ice from the Greenland ice sheet into the Ilulissat Icefjord and is one of Greenland’s fastest-moving glaciers. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Greenland has lost more than six tril
10/20/2026 | Heiner Kubny
Ten years of the airlift for Australia’s Antarctic research
A C-17A Globemaster III during its first test flight to Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey Station in November 2015. Since then, these transport aircraft have been a vital part of Australia’s Antarctic logistics. (Photo: Glenn Jacobson / Australian Antarctic Division)For ten years, the Australian military
10/19/2026 | Heiner Kubny
Russia is expanding its Arctic LNG fleet
The 295-metre-long LNG tanker ‘North Moon’ at sea. Built in South Korea in 2024, the vessel is classified as Arc4 ice-class and can carry around 174,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas. In October 2026, it was renamed ‘Melicertes’. (Illustration: PolarJournal)Russia is continuing to expand its
10/19/2026 | Yana Kirichenko
Why Arctic shorebirds change breeding grounds
A pectoral sandpiper, one of the shorebird species included in the study of breeding-site return rates. (Image: Public Domain)Many birds return to familiar breeding grounds each year. A new study explores why shorebirds breeding in Arctic tundra are particularly likely to change locations between su
10/18/2026 | Rosamaria Kubny
Bird flu reaches Alaska’s polar bears
Two wildlife researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) examine a polar bear lying on the sea ice. Such examinations enable the collection of biological samples, which can be used, amongst other things, to assess the animals’ state of health and detect possible infections. (Video: U.S. Geolo
10/18/2026 | Heiner Kubny
South Korea’s Arctic test voyage highlights the limitations of the Northern Sea Route
The ‘PanStar Acro’ during its test voyage through the Arctic Ocean on 31 August 2026. Drift ice slowed the South Korean container ship on certain sections of the Northern Sea Route. (Photo: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea)South Korea’s first container voyage via the Northern Sea
10/17/2026 | Polar Journal
Ukraine sends seeds to Svalbard after 14-year hiatus
After a 14-year pause, Ukraine contributed 773 seed samples, including millet, barley and buckwheat, for safekeeping in Svalbard. (Image: NordGen)With war threatening Ukraine’s crop collections, a new shipment to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault places backup seeds in Arctic storage, ready to help res
10/16/2026 | Polar Journal
26th Shackleton Autumn School Opens in Ireland
Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922), an Irish-born Antarctic explorer. (Image: Public Domain)The Irish town of Athy marks its connection to Ernest Shackleton with a festival of polar history, science, art and activities for all ages.From 16 to 18 October, Athy in County Kildare is hosting the 26th Sha
10/15/2026 | Heiner Kubny
22,000 kilometres unmanned round Antarctica
The autonomous Saildrone Explorer SD-1092 off the coast of Tasmania. The research sailing vessel, which is around seven metres long and powered by wind and solar energy, has set off on a voyage of some 22,000 kilometres round Antarctica, during which it will measure, amongst other things, the exchan
10/15/2026 | Heiner Kubny
Even winter ice cannot stop Greenland’s glaciers
Even thick sea ice cannot completely hold back Greenland’s glaciers. New measurements from north-west Greenland show that glaciers break off icebergs even in the middle of winter. A dense pack of sea ice and icebergs off the Melville Glacier in north-west Greenland. The glacier compresses this mixtu
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