Antarctic

A bone discovered as far back as 1985 on the Antarctic Peninsula has now been officially identified as the first known dinosaur fossil ever found on the Antarctic continent.

Air bubbles tell the story of the climate

As part of the Australian ‘Million Year Ice Core’ (MYIC) project, scientists are studying air bubbles that have been trapped in Antarctic ice for thousands to millions of years.

Advances in Antarctic Research

Antarctica is one of the most extreme habitats on Earth. Temperatures close to the freezing point pose major challenges for organisms, as many biological processes slow down in the cold.

Collins Bay: New protected area in Antarctica

At their meeting in Japan in May, the signatory states to the Antarctic Treaty unanimously supported the Ukrainian initiative to establish a new protected area in Antarctica.

H5 bird flu is decimating wildlife on Heard Island

Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Programme have published new findings on the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands.

Mapping Baleen Whale Habitats in Antarctica

A new study maps where baleen whales feed across the Southern Ocean and shows how proposed marine protected areas could better align with critical Antarctic habitats.

Snow Cruiser – The Biggest Flop in Antarctic Research

The ‘Snow Cruiser’ was a huge vehicle designed for Antarctic expeditions. It served both as a means of transport and as a mobile research station, with living and working quarters for the crew.

How Early Explorers Survived the Cold

Polar Journal AG Team

Survival in the polar regions depended on practical skills, careful planning, and the ability to adapt to extreme cold.

Rothera Station Ready for the Future

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has reached a major milestone in the modernization of the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Dumont d’Urville – Expedition to Antarctica

In 1837, Dumont d’Urville was asked by King Louis-Philippe I to explore the South Pole.

Midwinter 2026: Greetings from the eternal ice

21 June is a special day for participants in Antarctic expeditions from all over the world: it is Midwinter, the traditional celebration of the longest night and the shortest day of the year in Antarctica.

Antarctica is becoming greener—and more susceptible to plant diseases

Climate change could nearly double the number of plant-damaging fungi in Antarctica by the end of this century.

Antarctic Microbes Under Extreme UV

Antarctic microbes survive extreme UV exposure using a range of natural defense strategies, offering insights for future biotechnological innovations.

New Polar Research Vessel for India

On April 8, 2026, a major milestone was reached in the construction of a new Indian ocean research vessel at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) shipyard in Kolkata.

How did the most powerful ocean current on Earth originate?

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.

Bulgarian Antarctic Research

Bulgaria began its Antarctic activities as early as 1967–1969, when Bulgarian meteorologists participated in the 13th Soviet Antarctic Expedition.

Farewell, Sun

A special moment marked the beginning of a long and challenging period at Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica in early June.

Cooking at the End of the World: Everyday Life in Antarctica

Icy winds, endless expanses of snow, and temperatures far below freezing, Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth.

The Madrid Protocol: A Long-Term Spatial Ordering Mechanism

Pamela da Costa

The Madrid Protocol functions as a long-term spatial ordering device.

Krill fishing and bycatch in the Southern Ocean

Krill fishing in the Southern Ocean is tightly managed, but new research shows that bycatch and local fishing pressure remain important concerns.

Antarctic krill: a key species in the Southern Ocean

Antarctic krill are small crustaceans that form the foundation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.

Inspection of Fire Protection Equipment at Showa Station

At the beginning of April 2026, a comprehensive inspection of all fire protection equipment was carried out at Japan’s Showa Station.

250 million years ago, a meteorite struck Antarctica

An international team of researchers has discovered a impact crater beneath the ice of Antarctica using two GRACE satellites.

How warming affects microbial processes in polar regions

Microbial processes in warming polar regions may influence greenhouse gas emissions and climate beyond the Arctic and Antarctic.

Vivian Fuchs – A First and a Fourth Place

Greta Paulsdottir

January 19, 1958: Journalists had been flown to the American station at the South Pole because the whole world was eagerly waiting to see whether the great adventure would succeed.

Cold-adapted microbes and their biotechnological potential

Cold-adapted microbes produce enzymes that function at low temperatures, offering potential applications in industry and biotechnology.

Antarctica: A Glimpse into the Future of Seabirds

A recent scientific study shows that ancient bird droppings can provide important clues about the development of seabird populations.

Life in a frozen world: microbes in the cryosphere

Microbial life thrives across Arctic and Antarctic environments, using specialized adaptations to survive extreme cold, ice and limited resources.

Hantavirus Alert After Flight: 82 Fellow Passengers Being Sought

Following several deaths aboard the expedition ship MV Hondius, the World Health Organization has issued an urgent appeal.

50 Years of Georg Forster Station – A Milestone in Polar Research

On April 21, 1976, the future Georg Forster Station of the former GDR was officially inaugurated in the Schirmacher Oasis in Antarctica.

The Quiet Power of Nature in the Geopolitical Game

Pamela da Costa

Nature does not concern itself with geopolitics or science… until either determines our collective fate.

Three Dead After Virus Outbreak on Cruise Ship

A deadly outbreak of an acute respiratory illness has occurred aboard the expedition cruise ship “MV Hondius” off the coast of Cape Verde.

When AI Counts Penguins: High-Tech in Antarctica

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up new possibilities for scientific research, particularly in the field of ecology.

Together Against Climate Change at the South Pole

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.

Crossing Antarctica by Kite-Ski: Experience from the Field

From stalled winds to failing equipment, Heïdi Sevestre describes what it really takes to cross Antarctica by kite-ski.

Deep ocean drives Antarctic iron supply

Melting Antarctic ice may not fertilize the ocean as expected, as most iron instead comes from deep water and the seafloor.

New Sensors Measure Air Quality in Antarctica

Ukrainian scientists have expanded their research on air quality in some of the most remote regions on Earth.

Parmjit Singh Sehra – First Indian in Antarctica

Polar Journal AG Team

As part of his doctoral research, Dr. Singh Sehra spent a total of 18 months in Antarctica and circumnavigated the continent together with Soviet researchers.

The Odd Bird on the Fringe of History

Christian Hug

Nobu Shirase wants to go to the South Pole! That was the joke of the year in 1909. The Japanese were rolling with laughter, and the press openly mocked him.

Unknown Island Discovered in Antarctica

An international research team discovered a previously unknown island during an expedition in the northwestern Weddell Sea.

Emperor penguins classified as “highly endangered species”

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and has profound effects on nature and wildlife.

New Polarstern Build: Model Successfully Passes Ice Tests

Significant progress has been made in the construction of the German research icebreaker “Polarstern”: A scale model of the future vessel has successfully passed its final tests in the ice tank.

Antarctica as the Gateway to Mars

Pamela da Costa

During the Cold War, polar and space exploration became part of global technological competition.

“MONACA” Recovered After Six Days

After days of searching, the autonomous underwater robot “MONACA” has been successfully recovered.

Hidden Forces Shape Antarctica’s Gravity

A slight dip in gravity beneath Antarctica is linked to slow movements of rock deep within the Earth over millions of years.

King Penguins Benefit from Climate Change

Climate change is altering seasons worldwide and disrupting the timing between plants and animals.

Smoke from Wildfires Reaches Antarctica

Antarctica, long regarded as an untouched natural region, is increasingly affected by global environmental changes.

Cape Town Agreement Boosts Arctic Safety

The Cape Town Agreement, entering into force in 2027, sets new safety standards for fishing vessels reducing risks and pollution in Arctic waters.

Fernando E. Franca – First Cuban in Antarctica

Fernando E. Franca is considered an important figure in the history of international polar research.

Emperor Penguins Facing an Uncertain Future