Antarctic

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

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

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

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

Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey made a significant discovery while analyzing satellite images along the coast of Marie Byrd Land.

Scientists Monitor Avian Influenza in Antarctica

The emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) H5N1 in Antarctica remains a central focus of international research.

Waste management in Antarctica (Part 2)

Can waste management practices in Antarctica provide a model of sustainability for extreme environments?

New Life Forms Beneath the Denman Glacier

Antarctica, a harsh and ice-covered continent, was long considered a habitat for only a few extremely resilient organisms.

Waste management in Antarctica (Part 1)

Can waste management practices in Antarctica provide a model of sustainability for extreme environments?

Wind-Powered Science: Kite-Skiing Across Antarctica

Glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre and explorer Matthieu Tordeur crossed Antarctica by kite-ski, while collecting geophysical data with ground-penetrating radars.

Richard E. Byrd – Flight to the South Pole

Christian Hug

In the autumn of 1928, Byrd left the United States aboard the City of New York and the Eleanor Bolling, heading for New Zealand with three airplanes and one helicopter. On board were 82 expedition members and materials for a polar station.

Commemorative Stamp Marking 30 Years of the Akademik Vernadsky Antarctic Station

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky, Ukrposhta issued a special stamp on 6 February 2026.

Record Core Brings New Insights into West Antarctica

An international team of researchers has recovered the longest sediment core ever drilled beneath an ice sheet, a scientific breakthrough for climate research.

The role of science in the development of places in Antarctica

Marcel Schütz

Antarctica often appears on maps as an empty white space. Yet for the people who work there, it is anything but an abstract region.

Shark filmed in Antarctica for the first time

A spectacular discovery is causing a stir in marine research: for the first time, a large sleeper shark has been filmed in the icy deep sea of Antarctica.

Blood Falls: The Blood-Red Secret of Antarctica

A bright red waterfall bursting out of eternal ice, right in the middle of one of the coldest regions on Earth: Blood Falls are among the most mysterious natural phenomena in Antarctica.

The search for the fifth Shackleton Medal winner has begun

Marcel Schütz

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.

70th Anniversary of the Russian Antarctic Station Mirny

On February 13, 1956, the flag of the USSR was raised at the first Soviet Antarctic station, Mirny.

Ethan Guo and the illegal landing in Antarctica

Marcel Schütz

The unauthorized landing of 19-year-old pilot Ethan Guo on King George Island has sparked criticism and legal consequences in Antarctica.

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

In the heart of the coldest continent on Earth lies one of the planet’s most extreme landscapes.

AI Tracks the Life Cycle of Icebergs

As the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reports, scientists have developed a novel AI system that can, for the first time, automatically track the entire life cycle of icebergs.

Invisible Giant Waves Beneath the Ice