Antarctic

Will any remain by the end of the century? Satellite data shows a 22% decline in emperor penguin populations across a quarter of Antarctica over the past 15 years, due to climate instability.

The Polar Retrospective – A French in Greenland, record Arctic heat, a new view on an old Polar wreck

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at French President's trip to Nuuk, record-breaking Arctic heat, and a new view on an famous Polar wreck.

U.S. Polar Budget: Cutting Ties with an Antarctic Icebreaker

Antarctic geopolitics expert William Muntean explains why the Trump administration's budget cuts will negatively impact US polar policy altogether and give countries such as Russia and China an almost insurmountable advantage in Antarctica.

The Polar Retrospective - A distant love, deep secrets of the South Sandwich Islands and noise pollution

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at how polar dreams inspire passion, at newly discovered coral gardens and hydrothermal vents and the noise pollution in polar regions.

West Antarctic Ice Sheet near tipping point – the next few years are critical

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet could reach its tipping point with only minimal additional ocean warming – with long-term consequences for global sea levels. But a small window of time remains to take countermeasures.

Antarctica’s sea ice is changing, and so is a vital part of the marine food web that lives within it

As Antarctic sea ice forms later and thinner, a hidden ecosystem is shifting: microalgal diversity is declining, disrupting a key food source for marine life.

The Polar Retrospective – A route to East Greenland, bowhead whales losing their icy habitat and Inuit-led cruises

This week's Polar Retrospective takes a look at the setting course for Iceland and Scoresby Sound by the crew of Moscatel, new research warning of vanishing summer habitat for bowhead whales and Inuit-led cruises in Nunavut.

Penguin poop, the secret weapon against global warming?

A study highlights the role that penguin droppings play in cloud formation and their potential impact in reducing the effects of global warming.

Will the Trump administration's budget cuts have an impact on Antarctic protection ?

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is cutting funding for polar research in the USA. Could these disruptions to Antarctic research have an impact on Antarctic protection? In an interview, Evan Bloom, a former US diplomat specializing in polar affairs, explains the implications of the US decline in Antarctica.

The Polar Retrospective – A polar science only meeting, Russian plans for new Arctic vessels, and a cloud observatory in Antarctica

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at the annual meeting of the French National Committee for Arctic and Antarctic Research, Russia’s push to build a fleet of 130 Arctic vessels to expand trade with China along the Northern Sea Route, and a new cloud observatory in Antarctica that could close critical gaps in climate models

"Piracy" among glaciers: In Antarctica, one glacier is "stealing" ice from another

A glacier in West Antarctica is flowing much faster than its neighbor and "stealing" its ice - an important discovery for a better understanding of Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise.

The Polar Retrospective – A Chilean plan for Antarctica, US agencies spying in Greenland, and new Arctic coastlines

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at Chile's presidential commitment to the Antarctic, reports about US intelligence gathering in Greenland, and the emergence of new Arctic coastlines as glaciers retreat.

Tiny dips in sea level reveal flow of climate-regulating underwater waterfalls

Satellite data reveals tiny sea level dips that mark underwater waterfalls – cold, dense water plunging off Antarctica’s continental shelf. These flows help regulate Earth’s climate but are weakening as the planet warms.

Australia Re-elects Labor - What it Means for the Antarctic Program

Dr. Michael Wenger

The re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government signals a period of stability and policy continuity for the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).

The Polar Retrospective - An agreement with Tara, stronger protection of South Georgia's marine life and a shrinking bird explained

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at an agreement signed between Tara and polarjournal.net, enhanced marine protection around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and a study explaining why the red knots are becoming smaller.

The Polar Retrospective – An Icelandic exhibition in Greenland, the history of the most important ocean current and Nunavut on the show

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we look at an exhibition on the crest line between art and science by an Icelandic artist in Greenland, a new study tracing 800,000 years of climate-ocean interaction in the Southern Ocean and a Netflix series that takes place in an Inuit community.

Antarctica’s hidden threat: meltwater under the ice sheet amplifies sea-level rise

A new study shows how subglacial water could threaten the stability of the Antarctic ice cap. Which could add more than two metres than currently estimated to global sea levels by 2300.

The Polar Retrospective - A heckled polar ambition, insights from a megaberg, and biosecurity in Antarctica

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. This week we look at the steering of France's polar strategy, gliders collecting data from a megaberg and a research that shows evidence that biosecurity measures work.

Vast ecosystem of microalgae accelerates ice melt on Antarctic ice cap

For the first time, researchers investigated an algal bloom on an Antarctic ice cap and discovered an astonishing diversity of microbial life. However, the coloration accelerates the melting.

Concordia - "A livable, energy-efficient, easy-to-install system"

The Franco-Italian station is celebrating its twentieth year of operation, perched high above Antarctica. Project manager Patrice Godon tells us about the challenges involved in building the station, from the point of view of polar expertise.

The Polar Retrospective - New conservation status for emperor penguins, eDNA to monitor marine biodiversity and Putin in Murmansk

This week we look at a new classification for emperor penguins, a new tool being tested on board the Australian, and Vladimir Putin's speech at the Russian Arctic Forum.

The Polar Retrospective - A volcano under pressure, an Inuit village exposed to PFAS and a discovery below the ice

This week we look at a quaking volcano in Alaska, a serious health issue in Ittoqqortoormiit and an ecosystem uncovered by a calving iceberg.

An Antarctic South-African station on the edge of fear

An alleged assault on a South African Antarctic station is currently making headlines. Although the phenomenon is rare, it is not exceptional. Isolation, boredom and confinement in a hostile environment can put the nerves of scientific and station personnel to the test.

Claudio Gonzalez - The history of Austral currents under a snail's shell

Back from Macquarie Island, a marine biologist from Chile's Milenio Base Institute fulfills a scientific and personal dream by collecting rare specimens of mollusks.

The Polar Retrospective - Skuas found dead, the winner of the Iditarod race, and a new Antarctic map

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. This week we look at the impact of bird flu south of the Antarctic Peninsula, the results of the major dog race in Alaska, and Antarctica under the ice cap.

A Dragon in Antarctica - Part Two

This year, China celebrates th 40th anniversary of its first Antarctic station, the Great Wall (Chángchéng). IN this tow-part series, Polar Historian and book author Jean de Pomereu presents an exclusive view on the Chinese Antarctic Program and its scientific and political value from the past to the present.

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?

Dr. Michael Wenger

An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region.

The Polar Retrospective - A grounded iceberg, Health survey in Tromsø, and US tariffs in the Canadian Arctic

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. This week we look at the iceberg A23a keeping South Georgia company, a Norwegian cross-generational health study, and at the impact of US tariffs in the Canadian Arctic.

A Dragon in Antarctica - Part One

This year, China celebrates th 40th anniversary of its first Antarctic station, the Great Wall (Chángchéng). In this two-part series, Polar Historian and author Jean de Pomereu presents an exclusive view on the Chinese Antarctic Program and its scientific and political value from the past to the present.

Large methane leaks discovered in Antarctica

A recently concluded expedition to the continental shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula, where methane hydrates are hidden in the seabed, revealed that the greenhouse gas methane escapes there.

The Polar Retrospective - DOGE impact on Antarctic research, avian flu in the sub-Antarctic, polar bear den cameras and orcas in the Arctic

This week we look at the highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading in the sub-Antarctic islands, new technology to monitor polar bear dens in the Arctic, the impacts of DOGE budget cuts, and killer whales who have found a new home in the Arctic.

Antarctica and its little-known ecosystems

An international research team has identified the need to understand Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems.

The Polar Retrospective - Erased graffiti, an updated map, Arctic killer whales, and a Finnish inconvenience

This week we look at a mission to clean up a graffitied building in Antarctica, a new South Orkney Islands map, an increase in Arctic killer whales, and rising tourism prices in Finland.

This is Australia’s only icebreaker. Here’s why experts say we need another

A parliamentary report has called on for a second icebreaking vessel and more reliable funding for Antarctic research.

Whales – the gardeners of the oceans

Whales are considered the ecosystem engineers of the oceans. They stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which in turn supports the growth of their primary food source, krill.

The Polar Retrospective - Plastic in Antarctica, Nunavut renewable energy and Belgium polar heritage

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. From last week we chose: the discovery of microplastic around the Union Glacier, a renewable energy project in Iqaluit and the 'Belgica' pennant classified as part of national heritage.

The FROID project drilled in nine different locations in a season, trying to find ancient ice near the Antarctic surface. Photo: FROID project / International Polar Foundation

Treasure hunting for ancient near-surface ice in East Antarctica

Ole Ellekrog

Million-year-old ice cores have already been found in Antarctica. But by finding them closer to the surface, the FROID project is hoping to reach the coveted ice samples more easily and at a much cheaper price.

Amsterdam is burning, the Taafian community reacts

Nineteen days after it started, the fire on Amsterdam Island is still raging. After the shock, it was time for action.

Underwater acoustic observatory installed on the east coast of Antarctica

Against all odds, a team of divers set up hydrophones at a depth of 20 meters to listen to the ocean half a nautical mile from the Dumont-d'Urville station.

A meteorite as it looks when it's found in the ice of Antarctica. Photo: ULTIMO / INTERNATIONAL POLAR FOUNDATION

Belgian researchers successfully use machine learning to find meteorites in Antarctica

Ole Ellekrog

Its vast ice sheet makes Antarctica the best place on Earth to look for meteorites. Recently, a Belgian team returned with 115 new space rocks after testing a new method for locating them.

Does the carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean work differently than we thought?

Diatoms, a key player in the Southern Ocean food web, may contribute less to the biological carbon pump than previously thought.

Martin-de-Viviès scientific station threatened by flames

The scientific station on Amsterdam Island was evacuated.

Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice: 1.2 Million Years of Climate History Unearthed in Oldest Ice Core

It marks a historic milestone for the European drilling project "Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice": the international research team successfully extracted a 2,800-meter-long ice core from Antarctica, containing at least 1.2 million years of climate history.

Across the world, activists were calling for the release of Paul Watson from jail in Greenland. This photo was taken in Paris, France, on November 24th, 2024. Last week, the protester got their wish. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Polar Retrospective - A free Watson, birds perishing, a giant iceberg moving and the successor of Polarstern

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. This week, we tell you about the release of activist Paul Watson, a heatwave that killed million of common murres, the drift of giant iceberg A23a and the upcoming arrival of Polarstern II.

Vandalism at historic site in Antarctica

Dr. Michael Wenger

A previously unknown perpetrator has sprayed graffiti on the hangar of Whaler's Bay and shocked the polar community with this act of vandalism.

Signe Ravn-Højgaard represents the Think Tank for Digital Infrastruture. She wrote her Ph.d. at the Department of Journalism at Ilisimatursafik, the University of Greenland. Photo: The Think Tank for Digital Infrastructure

As AI makes Arctic languages accessible, fears of disinformation rise

Ole Ellekrog

The Greenlandic public debate used to be immune to foreign influence but in recent months it has become available to hostile foreign actors.

Krill play a key role in carbon storage – plastic disrupts this process

Plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean may hinder the efficient transport of carbon bound by Antarctic krill to the deep ocean, with implications for the global carbon cycle and thus for global warming.

The Polar Retrospective - A stop to drilling, an ice-free Arctic and a non-white penguin

This week, we share a video of an all-black king penguin. We also look at a bleak prediction for the future of Arctic ice-coverage, but a good piece of news for the Arctic seafloor.

Polar Journal AG enters 2025 with new website and domain

A breath of fresh air is blowing through the polar regions of the internet: Polar Journal AG, the popular platform for all polar enthusiasts, will have a new look and a new web address from January 1, 2025.

The PolarJournal Christmas book selection

With Christmas just around the corner, Polar Journal AG has put together a selection of the best polar books. Enough to fill Santa's sack or to offer yourself a moment of escape.

Culture

PIQSIQ delves into Inuit 'Legends'

Inuit throat-singing duo PIQSIQ release their new album. Aptly titled Legends, this new work immerses listeners in the world of traditional Inuit storytelling.

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Guest article

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections