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antarcticalatest news & developments
Antarctica’s winter sea ice may look barren but South African scientists have discovered thriving microbial communities producing compounds linked to climate-cooling gases.

Antarctic ice microbes might help cool the planet, study finds

A groundbreaking study led by South African scientists has uncovered thriving microbial communities within Antarctica's vast winter sea ice. These microorganisms produce…

Antartica’s redesigned flag aims to focus attention on the microplastic crisis affecting the remote, pristine region

New ‘microplastic’ flag for Antarctica

The redesigned flag aims to focus attention on the microplastic crisis affecting the remote region

The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists of South Africa provides researchers a unique opportunity to visit Antarctica aboard the SA Agulhas II. Photo: SANAP

Applications for young Antarctic explorers are open

The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists of South Africa provides researchers a unique opportunity to visit Antarctica aboard the SA Agulhas II

Mind your back! A young King penguin on Marion Island seems curious about the satellite transmitter attached to an older penguin’s back. The device allows scientists to see where penguins go to find food at sea. (Photo: Pierre Pistorius)

E-tracking marine predators to protect Southern Ocean’s rich feeding grounds

Scientists from a number of institutions collaborated to collect data on 17 marine birds and mammals such as penguins, albatrosses, seals and whales in the ocean around Antarctica

Poison: PCBs become increasingly concentrated as they move up the food chain, leading to the death of orcas in oceans off industrialised countries. (George Karbus Photography)

Chemical killing the killer whales

Half the world’s orcas are doomed, because a coal byproduct has been leaking into the oceans for more than a century

Fifa President Sepp Blatter.

Sea level fears as more of giant Antarctic glacier floating than thought

Totten Glacier’s underbelly is being eroded by warm sea water flowing hundreds of kilometres inland after passing through underwater "gateways".

Crack attack: A rift across the Larsen C Ice Shelf

Breakaway iceberg as big as Jamaica

And it could mean that the Antarctic ice shelf is becoming unstable

Meltdown: Arctic and Antarctic ice has ‘shrunk’ by the size of three South Africas.

Polar ice the size of India vanishes in record heat

"Ice is shrinking at both ends of the planet, a development alarming scientists."

Another ecosystem in crisis as Southern Oceans around Antarctica get less salty

Critical ocean flows are changing, cutting off an ecosystem that regulates global temperatures and feeds fish.

Antarctica’s frozen sea isolates research stations

An increase in the level of ice around the frozen continent is making it difficult to get fuel and supplies to research stations.

Marten du Preez

South Africa’s Antarctic history is being unfrozen in time

A legacy programme captures South Africa’s active involvement in scientific research in Antarctica and the Prince Edward Islands since World War II.

The Spider balloon sailed about 35km above Antarctica for 16 days to collect data that will help scientists determine what happened immediately after the Big Bang.

Spider flies to catch an elusive wave

A South African astrophysicist is part of a team seeking to drag ancient cosmic secrets out of the polar skies.

Robot to test health of ocean ‘lungs’

In a pioneering move, a wave glider has been sent out to sea from Cape Town to measure pollution around Antarctica.

‘Irreversible’ melting of Antarctic

The science is in, and living in Cape Town and Durban will be impossible thanks to melting glaciers and an extra 4m rise in sea level.

Robots plumb changes in Southern Ocean

Off the coast of South Africa, ocean robots are sending back information to help us to understand how the ­climate is changing.

Climate change pause exposes gaps in scientists’ theories

Scientists are struggling to explain a slowdown in climate change that defies a rise in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists discover ‘new life’ forms below Antarctic ice

Russia’s scientists believe they have discovered new life forms sealed off for millions of years in a subglacial lake deep under the Antarctic ice.

Ranulph Fiennes forced to end Antarctic trek

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes has pulled out of an expedition to cross Antarctica during the region’s winter after developing frostbite.

Explorers embark on Antarctica adventure

British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes calls it one of the last remaining polar challenges: crossing Antarctica during the region’s winter.

A turquoise lake in Antarctica.

Antarctic exploratory drilling halted

An ambitious British plan to search for minute forms of life in an ancient lake beneath Antarctica’s ice has been suspended due to technical problems.