Science

A drone experiment over the Greenland ice sheet has made it possible for the first time to take detailed measurements of water vapor in the atmosphere over Greenland. This new technology could contribute to improving climate models and help to better estimate Greenland's future contribution to global sea level rise.

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.

Afforestation in the Arctic only a sham solution to global warming

In Arctic regions, afforestation can accelerate warming rather than slow it down, warns a new study. Instead of planting trees, researchers recommend preserving open tundra and large herbivores.

Forel, a Swiss research vessel for the scientists

From mapping fjords to studying particles, the Forel research vessel leads multidisciplinary expeditions in the Arctic to better understand the impact of global warming and marine ecosystems. A true floating laboratory that looks like a Swiss Army knife.

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.

Pleistocene glacial ice discovered in the permafrost of the Canadian Arctic

On Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic, bodies of ice have been hidden in the permafrost since the early Pleistocene – well protected from external influences and several warm periods. The age of the ice is estimated to be more than 770,000 years.

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.

Study tracks male Sperm whales over thousands of kilometers

Male sperm whales in the North Atlantic spend much of the year in Arctic waters, migrating south only for mating. For the first time, a research team has demonstrated that these migrations do not follow a fixed schedule.

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.

From bone to wood, 100 years of techno-economic acceleration among the Inughuit

A dog sled from London's British Museum bears witness to the economic development and technical ingenuity of Inughuit society in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

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.

Narwhal Tusks – Arctic Swiss Army Knives Used for Hunting and More

Dr. Michael Wenger

New research highlights the versatile functions of the narwhal's tusk, revealing its surprising role in hunting and beyond.

"Usually, when you go to the Arctic, you go with an icebreaker carrying maybe 50 scientists"

Arctic diatoms live in the ice, but part of their life cycle still eludes Chris Bowler, a medal-winning biologist specialising in marine diatoms. He hopes that the Tara Polar Station - a drifting polar station adapted to sea ice - will enable him to observe the ice tunnels in which these micro-organisms hibernate during the polar night.

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.

Elephant seals as helpers in researching fish populations

Studying the ecologically and economically important fish populations in the ocean's twilight zone presents enormous challenges. However, in the North Pacific, northern elephant seals now appear to make this task significantly easier.

Glacier flour fertilizes a garden of ideas

The potential of ‘glacial flour’ for agriculture is re-emerging, according to a study by the IC3 polar research centre in Tromsø, which notes that there are limits to its use, as some of this flour could be toxic in certain cases.

Like the rest of its body, the polar bear's paws are very fur. A new study found unique anti-icing features in the hair oil on it. Photo: Jon Aars, Norwegian Polar Institute

How polar bear fur could inspire breakthroughs in anti-icing technology

A new international study found surprising properties of the natural oils on polar bear fur. The first use will be in ski wax but airplanes, fridges, and air conditioners may also benefit.

Microplastics are in the fetal tissues of Alaska spotted seals, new research finds

UAF scientists have found microplastics in all marine mammals species they’ve studied so far, and new results show passage from maternal seals to their young

Antarctica and its little-known ecosystems

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

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.

Arctic Basecamp: Voices from Davos 2025

At this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the Arctic Basecamp team once again pitched their tents close to the venue, ensuring that science had a voice at the global gathering.

Declining polar bear populations linked to loss of sea ice

A research group has just created a model that quantifies the link between sea ice and polar bears, providing an accurate assessment of what will happen to polar bear populations if sea ice continues to decline.

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

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.

Arctic underwater mud volcano as an oasis of life

Discovered in 2023, the Borealis mud volcano in the Barents Sea has unveiled some of its secrets to an international research team.

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

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.

The Polar Retrospective – A migrating pike, an ancient eruption, and an Arab state with Polar ambitions

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. On the menu this week: an ancient volcanic eruption, a Polar-curious Arab country, and a freshwater fish on salty migrations.

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.

The Polar Retrospective – Arctic heatwaves, a Nunavut road, and sailboats among icebergs

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world's polar regions. This week we look at the increase in Arctic heatwaves, the Antarctic sea ice which remains stable this year, a proposed road in Nunavut, and some icebergs spotted by Vendée Globe skippers.

Significantly fewer pressure ridges in the Arctic sea ice

The sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean has not only shrunk and thinned due to global warming but has also become significantly flatter over the past three decades.

The Polar Retrospective - A South Pole president, a Greenlandic New Years Speech, and some very old right whales

We begin the new year with a Chilean president on an expedition, a New Year's Speech that might prove more important than usual, and some good news on the lifespans of southern right whales.

Arctic Report Card 2024: Not much good news from the Arctic

NOAA's annual assessment of the Arctic’s environmental state – the "Arctic Report Card" – once again paints a grim picture this year, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change.

The Polar Retrospective - Blue aurora, seals on icebergs and an enigmatic lake

The topics are miscolored aurora, an (almost) frozen Antarctic lake, and seals cruising on icebergs.

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.

Beyond Epica goes back for a million years, under the ice

Neck and neck with the Australians, Europe's most ambitious drilling project in Antarctica has reached a depth of 2,000 meters and is well positioned to be the first to reach very old ice.

Nukannguaq visited Greenland’s first inhabitants in Peary Land

Research assistant Nukannguaq Mathiesen came closer to understanding the climate and people of northernmost Greenland 4,500 years ago.

The Polar Retrospective - A Canadian apology, a new airport, and a French-Chilean friendship

This week, we look at a mass-slaughter of sled-dogs, an airport expansion, and a French-Chiliean cooperation that may extent to Antarctica.

How can you tell if a polar bear is pregnant?

It is not for lack of trying. But to this day scientists know of no reliable way to tell if a polar bear is pregnant.

The Polar Retrospective - A slowing ocean stream, an Antarctic cure for bananas, and whales colliding with ships

The Polar Retrospective looks at recent scientific publications from the world's polar regions. This week, we look at studies on bananas, whale-ship collisions, and an important Atlantic ocean stream that may soon slow down.

COP29: Urgent calls from science and policy for immediate decarbonization

Today marks the official final day of the 29th World Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. As is often the case, a major breakthrough has yet to be achieved. Therefore, scientists and governments of the Ambition on Melting Ice group are urging all countries to significantly step up their efforts.

Cod shoal devours 10 million capelin within a few hours

In the Barents Sea north of the North Cape, a research team recorded the largest predation event ever observed using a new acoustic mapping technique.

Tropical climatic phenomenon affects Antarctic fishery

A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports shows that El Niño and La Niña influence the recruitment capacity of Antarctic toothfish in the Ross Sea, a succulent fish sold at a good price. These results will no doubt be discussed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Cryosphere at a tipping point for irreversible loss and damage

Annual update on the state of world’s ice stores warns of drastically higher costs without immediate emissions réductions.

The Polar Retrospective – Wandering Antarctic birds moving beyond their boundaries

Dr. Michael Wenger

Two penguins that went astray thousands of miles and wandering albatrosses that are less wind-loving than assumed show how Antarctic birds are moving their boundaries.

Culture

"Honouring Our Future" at the NONAM

After Canada and Great Britain, the exhibition of regalia worn by young Indigenous graduates from the Yukon opens this weekend at NONAM. An opportunity to discover, through this symbolic garment, a little-known aspect of the culture of these communities in north-western Canada, between tradition and haute couture.

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Guest article

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