This is what the new Indian research vessel is expected to look like in the future — modern technology and innovative equipment are set to establish new standards for maritime research. (Photo: NCPOR)On April 8, 2026, a major milestone was reached in the construction of a new Indian ocean research v
Antarctic Circumpolar Current in its early stages (Photo: AWI / Hanna Knahl, Patrick Scholz)The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the strongest ocean current on Earth, transporting more than a hundred times the total volume of water carried by all rivers combined. It circles Antarctica uninterrupted
The St. Kliment Ohridski Station is a central pillar of Bulgaria’s Antarctic strategy: it strengthens the country’s international research presence while also serving as a training site for young scientists in the natural and geosciences. (Photo: BAI)Bulgaria began its Antarctic activities as early
This was their final look toward the bright horizon as they bid farewell to their faithful companion in the sky with the words: “Until we meet again, Sun.” (Photo: Tomohiro Yahagi, JARE67)A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in
An unusual career path: Samuel Silva went from chef to English teacher, returned to the kitchen, and eventually found his way to Antarctica. (Photo: INACH)Icy winds, endless expanses of snow, and temperatures far below freezing, Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Yet in the
The Madrid Protocol functions as a long-term spatial ordering device. This environmental agreement protects Antarctic space in a hierarchical manner while simultaneously defining the conditions for its governance and management. In doing so, it reveals a blurred boundary between environmental conser
Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns. Krill fishery and dependent wildlife in the Southern Ocean (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)Antarctic krill supports not only a unique marine ecosystem but also
Antarctic krill are small crustaceans that form the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Simplified Antarctic food web with arrows indicating energy flow from prey to predator (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a small crustacean that plays a central role in the
Staff carefully check each sensor to ensure it withstands extreme temperatures and operates accurately. (Photo: NIPR)At the beginning of April 2026, a comprehensive inspection of all fire protection equipment was carried out at Japan’s Showa Station. The aim of these measures was to ensure the prope
A glowing meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere.An international team of researchers has discovered a impact crater beneath the ice of Antarctica using two GRACE satellites. It may be one of the largest meteorite craters on Earth. The structure, more than 450 kilometers wide, lies hidden beneath an ice
Microbial processes in warming polar regions may influence greenhouse gas emissions and climate beyond the Arctic and Antarctic. Glacier front in the Arctic (Photo: Léa Zinsli)As research continues to reveal how microbes live and function in the cryosphere, rising temperatures in the Arctic and Anta
Sir Vivian Ernest “Bunny” Fuchs was a British geologist and polar explorer. During an expedition between 1949 and 1950, he and his team remained cut off from the outside world in Antarctica for two summers due to extremely harsh weather conditions. During this time, he conceived the plan to attempt
Cold-adapted microbes produce enzymes that function at low temperatures, offering potential applications in industry and biotechnology. From ice to application: cold-adapted microbes and their biotechnological potential (Sketch: Léa Zinsli)Building on recent insights into how microbes survive in the
The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is one of the most impressive birds in the world – especially because of its gigantic wingspan of up to 3.5 meters. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)A recent scientific study shows that ancient bird droppings can provide important clues about the development of seabird
Microbial life thrives across Arctic and Antarctic environments, using specialized adaptations to survive extreme cold, ice and limited resources. Commuting to sampling location in Arctic waters (Photo: Léa Zinsli)The Arctic and Antarctic are often seen as frozen deserts, where life struggles to sur
The South African Airline Airlink has connected the remote island of Saint Helena with Johannesburg regularly since 2017. (Photo: Airlink)Following several deaths aboard the expedition ship MV Hondius, the World Health Organization has issued an urgent appeal. Authorities are searching for 82 passen
The Georg Forster Station, a research station of the former GDR in the Schirmacher Oasis (Queen Maud Land), was located in a rare ice-free region of Antarctica and therefore offered particularly favorable conditions for scientific research. (Photo: Alfred Wegener Institute)On April 21, 1976, the fut
The Southern Cone region, composed of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, constitutes the southernmost tip of South America and, in light of the 1982 armed conflict, cannot be analyzed without also considering the presence of the United Kingdom through the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. This territor
Expedition voyage with the Hondius: 170 passengers en route north from Antarctica. (Foto: Oceanwide Expeditions)A deadly outbreak of an acute respiratory illness has occurred aboard the expedition cruise ship “MV Hondius” off the coast of Cape Verde. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
The chinstrap penguin is widely distributed across Antarctica and occurs circum-polar. Its breeding areas are mainly located on the Antarctic Peninsula as well as on sub-Antarctic islands in the South Atlantic, including the South Shetland Islands and the South Orkney Islands. (Photo: Heiner Kubny)T
As part of the 62nd Chilean Antarctic Expedition, a team from the Chilean Antarctic Institute visited several sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. The aim was to ensure that the automatic weather stations were in working order. Maintenance work under extreme conditions: operations between helicopter, b
From stalled winds to failing equipment, Heïdi Sevestre describes what it really takes to cross Antarctica by kite-ski. Dr. Heïdi Sevestre begins her talk at UNIS, introducing the expeditionOn Monday evening, glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre spoke at The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in Longye
Melting Antarctic ice may not fertilize the ocean as expected, as most iron instead comes from deep water and the seafloor. Most Antarctic iron comes from the deep ocean (Illustration: Léa Zinsli)New research from the Amundsen Sea is reshaping scientists’ understanding of how key nutrients reach one
New measuring instruments have been installed at the Ukrainian Antarctic station Vernadsky Research Base to continuously monitor air quality under extreme conditions. (Photos: Serhiy Yakushchenko, Yuriy Usmansky)Ukrainian scientists have expanded their research on air quality in some of the most rem
