02/18/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Blood Falls: The Blood-Red Secret of Antarctica

Blood Falls were discovered in 1911 by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor, a participant in the Terra Nova Expedition. He was the first to explore the valley that now bears his name. At the time, he attributed the red color to red algae. It was later proven, however, that the coloration is cau

02/17/2026 | Marcel Schütz

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions. As the Arctic increasingly moves

02/16/2026 | Marcel Schütz

When Light Guides the Hunt – How Ringed Seals Adapt Their Diving Rhythm to the Arctic

Ringed seal on the sea ice (Photo: Marcel Schütz)In the Arctic Ocean, survival is determined not only by ice cover, but also by light. A recent study from Greenland shows that ringed seals appear to closely link their diving behaviour to daylight cycles and the movements of their prey. Once again, t

02/15/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

Ice Alaska 2025 (Photo: Alan Silva)The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end. For several days now, there has been bustling activity. Vehicles transport blocks of ice, and warmly dressed women and men cut and shape the ice blocks late into the night. The residents

02/14/2026 | Heiner Kubny

70th Anniversary of the Russian Antarctic Station Mirny

The main research areas of Mirny Station include glaciology, seismology, meteorology, observation of auroras, cosmic radiation, and marine biology. (Photo: AARI / Dmitriy Rezov)On February 13, 1956, the flag of the USSR was raised at the first Soviet Antarctic station, Mirny. This historic date mark

02/13/2026 | Marcel Schütz

Ethan Guo and the illegal landing in Antarctica

The unauthorized landing of 19-year-old pilot Ethan Guo on King George Island has sparked criticism and legal consequences in Antarctica. Ethan Guo vor seiner Cessna 182Q (N182WT) Bild: Instagram: ethanguo.rtwWhen Ethan Guo landed on King George Island in June 2025, his flight was meant to send a po

02/12/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Greenland under Tectonic Stress

Greenland’s interior is almost completely covered by an ice sheet up to 3,200 m thick, with an average thickness of about 1,800 m. (Graphic: Wikipedia)The rapid loss of ice masses is not only transforming Greenland’s cryosphere; it is increasingly affecting the island’s geodynamics. New analyses sho

02/11/2026 | Rosamaria Kubny

Between Ice and the Future: Polar Bears in Svalbard

Where has the ice gone?A solitary polar bear stands on a melting ice floe near Svalbard – a silent sign of change in the Arctic. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Climate change is hitting the Arctic particularly hard. Around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the annually ice-free period in the Barents Sea

02/10/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Extremely Dry, Extremely Cold: Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys

Taylor Valley is an ice-free valley about 33 km (21 miles) long that was once covered by the retreating Taylor Glacier. It is the southernmost of the three large McMurdo Dry Valleys in the Transantarctic Mountains and lies west of McMurdo Sound. (Photo: Wikimedia)Antarctica – In the heart of the col

02/09/2026 | Heiner Kubny

AI Tracks the Life Cycle of Icebergs

Artificial intelligence identifies individual icebergs in satellite images. The data obtained help climate research analyze melting processes and better understand the input of freshwater into the oceans. (Photo: NASA)As the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reports, scientists have developed a novel A

02/08/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Permafrost in Drylands as a Source of Methane

Abraham Lake in the Canadian province of Alberta is famous in winter for its milky methane bubbles trapped in the ice. (Photo: iStock)Permafrost—permanently frozen ground in the coldest regions of the Earth—has stored large amounts of organic carbon from dead plants and animals for thousands of year

02/07/2026 | Heiner Kubny

Glacial Ice as a Source of Nutrients

Meltwater stream in Cumberland Bay on South Georgia (Photo: Berenice Ebner / AWI)Antarctic phytoplankton uses iron from glacial meltwaterIron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton and a prerequisite for its growth. A research team from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) has, for the first

Science

02/18/2026| Heiner Kubny

Blood Falls: The Blood-Red Secret of Antarctica

Blood Falls were discovered in 1911 by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor, a participant in the Terra Nova Expedition. He was the first to explore the valley that now bears his name. At the time, he attributed the red color to red algae. It was later proven, however, that the coloration is cau

02/17/2026| Marcel Schütz

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions. As the Arctic increasingly moves

02/16/2026| Marcel Schütz

When Light Guides the Hunt – How Ringed Seals Adapt Their Diving Rhythm to the Arctic

Ringed seal on the sea ice (Photo: Marcel Schütz)In the Arctic Ocean, survival is determined not only by ice cover, but also by light. A recent study from Greenland shows that ringed seals appear to closely link their diving behaviour to daylight cycles and the movements of their prey. Once again, t

02/14/2026| Heiner Kubny

70th Anniversary of the Russian Antarctic Station Mirny

The main research areas of Mirny Station include glaciology, seismology, meteorology, observation of auroras, cosmic radiation, and marine biology. (Photo: AARI / Dmitriy Rezov)On February 13, 1956, the flag of the USSR was raised at the first Soviet Antarctic station, Mirny. This historic date mark

02/12/2026| Heiner Kubny

Greenland under Tectonic Stress

Greenland’s interior is almost completely covered by an ice sheet up to 3,200 m thick, with an average thickness of about 1,800 m. (Graphic: Wikipedia)The rapid loss of ice masses is not only transforming Greenland’s cryosphere; it is increasingly affecting the island’s geodynamics. New analyses sho

02/11/2026| Rosamaria Kubny

Between Ice and the Future: Polar Bears in Svalbard

Where has the ice gone?A solitary polar bear stands on a melting ice floe near Svalbard – a silent sign of change in the Arctic. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)Climate change is hitting the Arctic particularly hard. Around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the annually ice-free period in the Barents Sea

02/10/2026| Heiner Kubny

Extremely Dry, Extremely Cold: Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys

Taylor Valley is an ice-free valley about 33 km (21 miles) long that was once covered by the retreating Taylor Glacier. It is the southernmost of the three large McMurdo Dry Valleys in the Transantarctic Mountains and lies west of McMurdo Sound. (Photo: Wikimedia)Antarctica – In the heart of the col

02/09/2026| Heiner Kubny

AI Tracks the Life Cycle of Icebergs

Artificial intelligence identifies individual icebergs in satellite images. The data obtained help climate research analyze melting processes and better understand the input of freshwater into the oceans. (Photo: NASA)As the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reports, scientists have developed a novel A

Politics

01/30/2026, William Muntean

The United States Staying the Course in Antarctica

U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Bild: Wikipedia)Three recent actions should cool speculation that the United States would significantly change its approach towards Antarctica. First, the U.S. Department of State released a press statement that reaffirmed its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty syst

01/21/2026, Marcel Schütz

WEF Davos: Trump halts planned tariffs after talks on Greenland

21 January 2026 – Following Donald Trump’s appearance in Davos, there was an immediate political and economic reaction both in Europe and within the transatlantic alliance. On the evening of the same day, Trump announced that he would not impose the previously threatened tariffs against several Euro

01/21/2026, Lisa Scherk

New UN High Seas Agreement: What Opportunities Does It Offer for the Polar Regions?

Albatross over the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica: Photo by Lisa ScherkOn January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force. For the first time,

01/16/2026, Heiner Kubny

Russia plans to salvage sunken submarines

On the night of August 29–30, 2003, the submarine K-159 of the Northern Fleet sank while being towed for disposal northwest of Kildin Island, shortly before reaching its destination, at a depth of 238 meters. (Photo: Bellona)The Russian government has included funds for the recovery of the sunken So

01/11/2026, Heiner Kubny

Postage Stamps Marking 100 Years of Marine Science

With a special stamp issue, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is honoring a key chapter in international marine research. On 18 December 2025, the fifth and final set of a multi-part series was released, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the so-called Discov

01/10/2026, Heiner Kubny

 41 Years of BCAA: Science, Service, and the Future in Antarctica

The station is located on King George Island, on the eastern side of Maxwell Bay. It is staffed year-round by eight people, increasing to up to 60 during the summer months. (Photo: BCAA)With pride and deep respect, Uruguay’s Artigas Antarctic Research Station (BCAA) celebrated its 41st anniversary o

01/08/2026, Marcel Schütz

Joint Statement on Greenland

Source: Danish and Norwegian Government.Posted on 6 January 2026 Statement by President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Freder

01/07/2026, Heiner Kubny

When Will the Dispute Over Greenland Escalate?

Donald Trump – Playing with fire! What comes after Venezuela? (Photo: Unsplash)For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future. A determined and so far unified stance by the Danish and Greenlandic g

Society

02/17/2026, Marcel Schütz

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions. As the Arctic increasingly moves

02/15/2026, Heiner Kubny

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

Ice Alaska 2025 (Photo: Alan Silva)The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end. For several days now, there has been bustling activity. Vehicles transport blocks of ice, and warmly dressed women and men cut and shape the ice blocks late into the night. The residents

01/21/2026, Lisa Scherk

New UN High Seas Agreement: What Opportunities Does It Offer for the Polar Regions?

Albatross over the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica: Photo by Lisa ScherkOn January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force. For the first time,

01/09/2026, Lisa Scherk

Polar Night: How Darkness Shapes Rhythm, Psyche, and Community

Colorfull houses in Longyearbyen – Image: Lisa ScherkIn the northern polar regions, the sun disappears below the horizon for weeks or even months during winter – a phenomenon known as the polar night. Everywhere north of the Arctic Circle, this prolonged darkness influences daily life, mood, and soc

01/07/2026, Heiner Kubny

When Will the Dispute Over Greenland Escalate?

Donald Trump – Playing with fire! What comes after Venezuela? (Photo: Unsplash)For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future. A determined and so far unified stance by the Danish and Greenlandic g

01/06/2026, Heiner Kubny

A message in a bottle circles two-thirds of Antarctica

On 28 February 2023, Johann Klages threw the message in a bottle for his children overboard in the Drake Passage. (Photo: AWI, Thomas Ronge)What began as a spontaneous idea on the high seas developed into an extraordinary journey: After more than two and a half years, a message in a bottle from an A

01/04/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Royal Letterbox for Antarctica

Kirsten Shaw with letterbox and letter (Photo: Matt Hughes)In the middle of the eternal ice, a special gift caused a stir shortly before Christmas: the staff of the British Rothera Research Station in Antarctica received an original Royal Mail letterbox, of the classic pillar-box design and bearing

12/31/2025, Polar Journal AG Team

With best wishes for the New Year 2026

Take off into the New YearDear Readers, dear Polar Community,As the year draws to a close, we look back with gratitude – and ahead with anticipation. The past year has once again highlighted how dynamic, complex, and vital the polar regions are for our planet. With every article, every piece of rese

Culture

02/15/2026, Heiner Kubny

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

Ice Alaska 2025 (Photo: Alan Silva)The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end. For several days now, there has been bustling activity. Vehicles transport blocks of ice, and warmly dressed women and men cut and shape the ice blocks late into the night. The residents

01/18/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Icelandic Fish Casserole

Icelandic fish casserole is a delicious combination of tender fish, potatoes, creamy sauce, and flavorful cheese. This hearty meal offers a harmonious blend of fresh fish, creamy sauce, and a gentle spiciness from the seasonings. This fish casserole is a feast for the senses and a true delight for l

01/09/2026, Lisa Scherk

Polar Night: How Darkness Shapes Rhythm, Psyche, and Community

Colorfull houses in Longyearbyen – Image: Lisa ScherkIn the northern polar regions, the sun disappears below the horizon for weeks or even months during winter – a phenomenon known as the polar night. Everywhere north of the Arctic Circle, this prolonged darkness influences daily life, mood, and soc

01/06/2026, Heiner Kubny

A message in a bottle circles two-thirds of Antarctica

On 28 February 2023, Johann Klages threw the message in a bottle for his children overboard in the Drake Passage. (Photo: AWI, Thomas Ronge)What began as a spontaneous idea on the high seas developed into an extraordinary journey: After more than two and a half years, a message in a bottle from an A

01/04/2026, Rosamaria Kubny

Royal Letterbox for Antarctica

Kirsten Shaw with letterbox and letter (Photo: Matt Hughes)In the middle of the eternal ice, a special gift caused a stir shortly before Christmas: the staff of the British Rothera Research Station in Antarctica received an original Royal Mail letterbox, of the classic pillar-box design and bearing

12/31/2025, Polar Journal AG Team

With best wishes for the New Year 2026

Take off into the New YearDear Readers, dear Polar Community,As the year draws to a close, we look back with gratitude – and ahead with anticipation. The past year has once again highlighted how dynamic, complex, and vital the polar regions are for our planet. With every article, every piece of rese

12/25/2025, Polar Journal AG Team

Christmas greetings from PolarJournal

We look back on an extraordinary year - one filled with fascinating insights, moving stories, and new perspectives from the most remote regions of our planet. Dear Polar Community,As the world around us is wrapped in sparkling lights and quiet moments, we at Polar Journal also look back on an extrao

12/16/2025, Polar Journal AG Team

Beyond sled dogs and gold

Somewhere between myths and hard facts you find Nome, poised also between yesterday and tomorrow. Drawing on his background in anthropology and an equal passion for history, Michael Engelhard, through the lens of one pivotal city, surveys the seam that links two neighboring continents.The region’s l

Economy

02/17/2026, Marcel Schütz

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

The search for the fifth recipient of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions has begun. The award is presented each year on the birthday of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and aims to highlight the global importance of these sensitive regions. As the Arctic increasingly moves

01/31/2026, Heiner Kubny

Vegetable Farming at the Coldest Place on Earth

Vostok Station is a Russian research station located inland in Princess Elisabeth Land, Antarctica. Founded in 1957, the station lies at the southern Pole of Cold, where the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was measured: −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F; 184.0 K). (Photo: AARI)More than 200 different pl

01/21/2026, Lisa Scherk

New UN High Seas Agreement: What Opportunities Does It Offer for the Polar Regions?

Albatross over the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica: Photo by Lisa ScherkOn January 17, 2026, the BBNJ Agreement of the United Nations (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) entered into force. For the first time,

01/07/2026, Heiner Kubny

When Will the Dispute Over Greenland Escalate?

Donald Trump – Playing with fire! What comes after Venezuela? (Photo: Unsplash)For now, the situation still appears calm. It is still considered unlikely that the United States will gain control over Greenland in the near future. A determined and so far unified stance by the Danish and Greenlandic g

12/28/2025, Heiner Kubny

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk

In light of Nuuk’s growth as Greenland’s commercial and administrative center, as well as increasing tourism, there was a need for improved flight connections to the capital. The previously required transfer in Kangerlussuaq for most international flights has now been eliminated. (Photo: onemileatat

12/26/2025, Heiner Kubny

Norway and Russia Agree on Fishing Quotas for the Barents Sea

Atlantic cod is found in parts of the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. It is one of the most important food fish and is of great significance to the fishing industry. However, many stocks are now threatened by overfishing. (Photo: Wikipedia, August Limmman)After record-long and difficult negotia

12/24/2025, Heiner Kubny

Oil Pipeline Through the Permafrost

The high-resolution satellite image from Google Earth clearly shows severe damage to the permafrost soil. (Image: Google Earth)With the “Vankor–Payakha–Sever Bay Pipeline,” Russia is pushing ahead with one of the largest energy projects in the High North. The roughly 770-kilometer-long pipeline is p

12/22/2025, Marcel Schütz

The United States appoints a special envoy for Greenland

Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has responded firmly to a new move by Donald Trump that has intensified diplomatic tensions surrounding Greenland.The trigger is the United States’ decision to appoint a special envoy for Greenland. In Copenhagen, this step is viewed as politically s

Tourism

02/15/2026, Heiner Kubny

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

Ice Alaska 2025 (Photo: Alan Silva)The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end. For several days now, there has been bustling activity. Vehicles transport blocks of ice, and warmly dressed women and men cut and shape the ice blocks late into the night. The residents

02/13/2026, Marcel Schütz

Ethan Guo and the illegal landing in Antarctica

The unauthorized landing of 19-year-old pilot Ethan Guo on King George Island has sparked criticism and legal consequences in Antarctica. Ethan Guo vor seiner Cessna 182Q (N182WT) Bild: Instagram: ethanguo.rtwWhen Ethan Guo landed on King George Island in June 2025, his flight was meant to send a po

01/20/2026, Marcel Schütz

Strongest solar storm in over 20 years hits Earth

Northern Lights over Zurich – for Mike Jakob, it was a magical moment to witness the usually Arctic phenomenon in his own sky. Northern lights over Zurich’s local mountain “Uetliberg”Image: Mike JakobNorthern Lights Across Europe and North AmericaOn 19 January 2026, skies over large parts of Europe

01/11/2026, Heiner Kubny

Postage Stamps Marking 100 Years of Marine Science

With a special stamp issue, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is honoring a key chapter in international marine research. On 18 December 2025, the fifth and final set of a multi-part series was released, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the so-called Discov

12/28/2025, Heiner Kubny

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk

In light of Nuuk’s growth as Greenland’s commercial and administrative center, as well as increasing tourism, there was a need for improved flight connections to the capital. The previously required transfer in Kangerlussuaq for most international flights has now been eliminated. (Photo: onemileatat

12/22/2025, Marcel Schütz

Hope in the Ice – Rare Adoption of a Polar Bear Cub near Churchill Surprises Researchers

Polar bear family, Churchill, Hudson Bay – © Bob SmithChurchill, CanadaIn the midst of the barren vastness of the tundra, scientists have witnessed a moment that made even seasoned polar bear researchers pause. Near the small town of Churchill in northeastern Manitoba, a mother polar bear was spotte

12/20/2025, Marcel Schütz

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole. The planned Artur Chilingarov Ice Base is to be established on Arctic drifting sea ice near the North Pole and is intended to serve both scientific purposes and short-te

12/19/2025, Heiner Kubny

“Arctic Watch” Ceases Tourist Operations

One of the highlights at Arctic Watch were the belugas. (Photo: Rosamaria Kubny)Nunavut / Canada – Arctic Watch, one of the northernmost tourism operations in the world, is permanently discontinuing all tourist activities after 25 years. The decisive factors are ongoing political and regulatory cond

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