10/23/2026 | Polar Journal

A landmark win for Sámi literature

Sigbjørn Skåden, winner of the 2026 Nordic Council Literature Prize for Láŋtdievvá / Planterhaug. (Image: Knut Åserud / Cappelen Damm / press use)For only the second time in its history, the Nordic Council Literature Prize has gone to a Sámi-language work. What earned this year’s winner such recogni

10/22/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Svalbard’s glacier fronts are retreating at record speed

The Monacobreen in Liefdefjord in north-western Svalbard. This glacier, which flows into the sea, is one of those whose front has retreated particularly rapidly over the past two years. (Photo: Andreas Weith / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)Spitsbergen’s sea-outlet glaciers have retreated at an exc

10/22/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Greenland sharks cope surprisingly well with by-catch

A Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) glides through the cold water beneath the Arctic sea ice. These extremely long-lived sharks grow very slowly and can live for several centuries. (Image: AI-generated / PolarJournal)The Greenland shark can live for several centuries and is one of the most m

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

Science

10/22/2026| Heiner Kubny

Greenland sharks cope surprisingly well with by-catch

A Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) glides through the cold water beneath the Arctic sea ice. These extremely long-lived sharks grow very slowly and can live for several centuries. (Image: AI-generated / PolarJournal)The Greenland shark can live for several centuries and is one of the most m

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

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| 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

10/15/2026| 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

10/14/2026| Rosamaria Kubny

Greenland’s ‘Dark Zone’ accelerates ice melt

The darkened ice surface at the edge of the Greenland ice sheet. Sediments and glacial ice algae reduce the ice’s albedo and can therefore further intensify summer melt. (Photo: Rosamaria Kubny)Every summer, a vast dark zone forms on the south-western edge of the Greenland ice sheet. A new study rev

10/13/2026| Heiner Kubny

Meltwater from East Antarctica extends further than previously thought

The Totten Ice Shelf in East Antarctica meets the Southern Ocean. New research shows that large quantities of meltwater form beneath the ice shelf and can be transported far beyond the coastal region. (Photo: Tas van Ommen / Australian Antarctic Division)New research shows how large quantities of me

Politics

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

10/18/2026, 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

10/13/2026, Heiner Kubny

Russia and India are pushing ahead with the Arctic freight corridor

A container ship operated by the Russian shipping company FESCO ploughs its way through thick Arctic sea ice. FESCO uses ice-strengthened cargo ships for transport to ports along the Northern Sea Route and to supply remote regions of the Russian Arctic. (Photo: FESCO)Russia and India intend to signi

10/08/2026, Heiner Kubny

More Chinese research vessels off Alaska

The Chinese research vessel Xue Long sailed north through the Bering Sea towards the Arctic on 12 July 2026. In doing so, the vessel passed through the US exclusive economic zone and areas above the extended US continental shelf. (Photo: US Coast Guard)China is continuing to expand its scientific pr

10/07/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Iceland’s whaling industry is on the brink of closure

A fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfaces off the coast of Greenland to breathe. Its elongated body and powerful blow are clearly visible. Fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth after the blue whale and are regularly found in the waters of the North Atlantic. (Photo: Aqqa Rosing-Asvid

10/06/2026, Heiner Kubny

Information superhighway beneath the ice: Oden loses its way

The Swedish research icebreaker Oden in Adventfjord off Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen. Built in 1989, the ship has served for decades as a research platform for scientific expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. (Photo: Bjoertvedt / Wikimedia Commons)In the middle of the Arctic Ocean, the Swedish res

09/21/2026, Yana Kirichenko

What Makes a Good Life in the Arctic?

Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland. Researchers argue that life in the Arctic requires its own indicators of well-being. (Image: Christine Zenino / CC BY 2.0 / cropped)How do we know whether people are living well? When measuring life in the Arctic, researchers argue that standard measures may

Society

10/23/2026, Polar Journal

A landmark win for Sámi literature

Sigbjørn Skåden, winner of the 2026 Nordic Council Literature Prize for Láŋtdievvá / Planterhaug. (Image: Knut Åserud / Cappelen Damm / press use)For only the second time in its history, the Nordic Council Literature Prize has gone to a Sámi-language work. What earned this year’s winner such recogni

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

10/09/2026, Yana Kirichenko

New platform tracks disappearing Arctic lakes

Thermokarst lakes, created by thawing permafrost, form the characteristic patchwork of water and tundra seen across Arctic landscapes. (Image: Public Domain)How can an entire lake disappear? In the Arctic, lakes sometimes drain within hours. A new public platform lets anyone follow these remarkable

10/05/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Bringing Veterinary Care to Rural Alaska

Veterinary care remains sporadic in many remote communities across Alaska. (Image: Markus Trienke / CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped)Many remote communities in Alaska have little or no regular access to a veterinarian. Recent initiatives are trying to bring veterinary care directly to them.For many people in

10/03/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Kaffemik: Greenland’s unique social tradition

Coffee has an important place in social life in Greenland. (Image: Public Domain)Coffee-centered traditions take many forms around the world, but on the Arctic island of Greenland, gatherings around coffee have developed some distinctive features.Kaffemik is a characteristic Greenlandic social tradi

10/02/2026, Yana Kirichenko

Arctic tourists make thousands of contributions to science

MS Roald Amundsen, one of HX Expeditions’ ships specially constructed for voyages in polar waters, pictured in Antarctica in 2020. (Image: Wolfgang Fricke / CC BY 3.0 / cropped)A major expedition cruise operator has reported a record 26,491 citizen science contributions from its Arctic voyages durin

09/27/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Arctic Char – the “Bread of the Arctic”

The Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is one of the most important food fish for the Inuit and is considered the quintessential traditional staple food in many regions of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. Because of its central importance, it is often referred to as the “bread of the Arctic.”For the Inu

09/26/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Canada Advances Decades-Old Northern Highway Project

The proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway would stretch around 800 kilometres. Pictured is another all-season road in the Mackenzie Delta, under construction in 2013. (Image: Adam Jones / CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped)A highway envisioned nearly 70 years ago is moving forward again as Canada invests in a long-

Culture

10/23/2026, Polar Journal

A landmark win for Sámi literature

Sigbjørn Skåden, winner of the 2026 Nordic Council Literature Prize for Láŋtdievvá / Planterhaug. (Image: Knut Åserud / Cappelen Damm / press use)For only the second time in its history, the Nordic Council Literature Prize has gone to a Sámi-language work. What earned this year’s winner such recogni

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

10/03/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Kaffemik: Greenland’s unique social tradition

Coffee has an important place in social life in Greenland. (Image: Public Domain)Coffee-centered traditions take many forms around the world, but on the Arctic island of Greenland, gatherings around coffee have developed some distinctive features.Kaffemik is a characteristic Greenlandic social tradi

09/27/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Arctic Char – the “Bread of the Arctic”

The Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is one of the most important food fish for the Inuit and is considered the quintessential traditional staple food in many regions of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. Because of its central importance, it is often referred to as the “bread of the Arctic.”For the Inu

09/21/2026, Yana Kirichenko

What Makes a Good Life in the Arctic?

Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland. Researchers argue that life in the Arctic requires its own indicators of well-being. (Image: Christine Zenino / CC BY 2.0 / cropped)How do we know whether people are living well? When measuring life in the Arctic, researchers argue that standard measures may

09/12/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Arctic climate change, archaeology and Trump

In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential”, an executive order aimed at expanding and accelerating oil and gas development in Alaska. (Image: USGS / Public Domain)As climate change transforms Alaska, an academic calls for archaeology to beco

09/07/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Longyearbyen Literature Festival marks 10 years

For ten years, the Longyearbyen Literature Festival has celebrated literature and culture in the High Arctic, bringing writers, readers and the local community together. (Image: Public Domain)The world’s northernmost literature festival has begun in Svalbard, bringing six days of literature, film an

08/31/2026, Yana Kirichenko

Russia maps its historical heritage on Svalbard

The Russian Geographical Society says it plans to document hundreds of objects linked to Russian history on Svalbard for a new Arctic heritage database and atlas. Barentsburg, seen from Grønfjorden, is Svalbard’s only permanently inhabited Russian settlement. (Image: Svalbard Photography)The Russian

Economy

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

10/11/2026, Heiner Kubny

Severnaya Zvezda halts major coal project in the Arctic

Mining operations in the snow-covered open-cast mine at the Syradasayskoye coal deposit on the Taymyr Peninsula. This remote, large-scale Arctic project was intended to be developed into one of Russia’s most significant coking coal projects, but has now largely been put on hold. (Photo: Severnaya Zv

09/26/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Canada Advances Decades-Old Northern Highway Project

The proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway would stretch around 800 kilometres. Pictured is another all-season road in the Mackenzie Delta, under construction in 2013. (Image: Adam Jones / CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped)A highway envisioned nearly 70 years ago is moving forward again as Canada invests in a long-

09/21/2026, Yana Kirichenko

What Makes a Good Life in the Arctic?

Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland. Researchers argue that life in the Arctic requires its own indicators of well-being. (Image: Christine Zenino / CC BY 2.0 / cropped)How do we know whether people are living well? When measuring life in the Arctic, researchers argue that standard measures may

09/16/2026, Heiner Kubny

Churchill could become a year-round Arctic port

An aerial view of the port of Churchill on Hudson Bay. The grain terminal, rail link and quay facilities could play a key role in future year-round shipping between the Canadian hinterland and international markets. (Photo: Arctic Gateway Group)The Canadian port of Churchill on Hudson Bay could in f

09/13/2026, Heiner Kubny

Tara Polar Station meets Xue Long 2 in the Arctic pack ice

On 9 September 2026, the Tara Polar Station reached its planned drift area in the central Arctic Ocean. In the background is the Chinese research icebreaker Xue Long 2, which helped Tara navigate through the pack ice to the selected ice floe. There, at 82°24′ N, 155°03′ E, the planned drift through

09/08/2026, Heiner Kubny

Krill fishery reaches catch limit months ahead of schedule

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean’s food web. These small crustaceans are an important food source for whales, penguins, seals and fish. (Photo: Uwe Kils / Wikimedia Commons)The krill fishery in Antarctica has once again been brought to a premature close

08/27/2026, Heiner Kubny

New Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker delayed

The ‘Chukotka’ in the Arctic pack ice. (AI-generated illustration: PolarJournal)Russia’s expansion of its nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet is being delayed. The ‘Chukotka’, the next icebreaker in the Project 22220 class, is not due to enter service at the end of 2026 as planned, but not until 2027.T

Tourism

10/02/2026, Yana Kirichenko

Arctic tourists make thousands of contributions to science

MS Roald Amundsen, one of HX Expeditions’ ships specially constructed for voyages in polar waters, pictured in Antarctica in 2020. (Image: Wolfgang Fricke / CC BY 3.0 / cropped)A major expedition cruise operator has reported a record 26,491 citizen science contributions from its Arctic voyages durin

08/11/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Visits to South Georgia will become more expensive from July 2026

Gold Harbour, South Georgia: A southern elephant seal rests on the beach, whilst visitors respectfully observe the extraordinary wildlife from a distance. With its huge king penguin colony and mighty glaciers, Gold Harbour is one of the most impressive nature and wildlife viewing areas in the South

08/06/2026, Heiner Kubny

Solar eclipses in the Solar System

Solar eclipses occur throughout the solar system. However, the way they manifest varies from planet to planet. The solar corona is only visible during a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely obscures the bright solar disc.A total solar eclipse is one of the most impressive natural phenomena

07/30/2026, Heiner Kubny

How much tourism can Antarctica sustain?

Whilst expedition ships carrying fewer than 500 passengers allow shore excursions, large cruise ships such as the Celebrity Equinox, carrying over 3,100 passengers, usually sail through Antarctica without allowing passengers to go ashore. (Photo: Celebrity Cruises)Tourism in Antarctica has been grow

07/25/2026, Gastautor

From Mexico City to the Arctic: Chasing a Polar Ice Swimming Dream

Dreams often begin in the most unexpected places. Arleen González Pérez's dream started in Mexico City - a place where icy water simply does not exist. Yet that never stopped her from pursuing her passion for ice swimming. Team behind the world recordBy Arleen González PérezDreams often begin in the

07/04/2026, Polar Journal AG Team

Arctic Row 2026: Swiss Expedition Plans Historic Row Across the Arctic

Happy Days underway in Adventfjorden (Photo: Janic Spinas)Four Swiss adventurers will begin the Arctic Row 2026 expedition at midnight between 3 and 4 July 2026, departing from Svalbard. Their goal is to complete a historic human-powered row of more than 3,000 kilometres to the edge of the Arctic se

06/21/2026, Heiner Kubny

Qaqortoq Airport has opened

The new airport in Qaqortoq takes over the role of the former Narsarsuaq Airport and becomes the central air hub of South Greenland. (Photo: Greenland Airports)With the official opening of the new airport in Qaqortoq on April 16, 2026, South Greenland entered a new phase of economic and tourism deve

06/17/2026, Heiner Kubny

Tourism: Murmansk Reconnects with Svalbard

The Professor Molchanov belongs to the so-called “Akademik Shuleykin class” of small research vessels. It was specifically designed to operate in cold waters and near-ice regions, making it particularly suitable for expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.After an interruption of almost three decade

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