Antarctic Environment
Airbnb announced they are funding a research sabbatical in the heart of Antarctica. Led by Antarctic scientist and passionate biogeochemist Kirstie Jones–Williams, five people will join an expedition to explore the impact of humans on Earth’s remotest regions. These five participants will be carefully chosen by Airbnb’s expert team and trained in Chile for an [...]
The introduction of non-native species is a priority conservation concern among Antarctic Treaty countries, and one we share at ALE. Non-native species are one of several major threats to biodiversity – globally and in the Antarctic. They have already profoundly transformed the biodiversity of many sub-Antarctic islands and are increasing on the Antarctic continent itself. [...]
Principal Investigators of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) recently conducted a special briefing for UK policy makers, on sea-level rise from Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. The scientists explained why it is important to reduce the uncertainty on how Thwaites Glacier will contribute to future sea-level rise; how governments will need to adapt to [...]
Current changes in the ocean around Antarctica are disturbingly close to conditions 14,000 years ago that led to the rapid melting of the Antarctic ice sheets and a three metre rise in global sea levels. New research published in Nature Scientific Reports found that at the end of the last ice age, Antarctic ocean temperatures [...]
ALE uses blue-ice airfields to land wheeled aircraft in Antarctica. These snow-free areas are a cornerstone of our operations. But what are blue-ice fields? How are they formed? And what makes them so special? Blue-ice fields are glacial areas that remain snow-free. Most of the Antarctic ice sheet is covered by snow, since the accumulation [...]
The glaciated and alpine topography of the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth Mountains provides excellent climbing terrain for mountaineers with eight of the ten highest peaks in Antarctica being located here. While the majority of visitors to the area come to climb, this region of the continent has plenty to offer adventurers and geologists in [...]
With the approach of the solstice, stations around Antarctica are gearing up for Midwinter celebrations.
Believe it or not, keeping things cool - or even frozen - in Antarctica can be a real challenge due to fluctuating temperatures and the realities of living on a moving glacier, in the most remote corner of the globe.
After 6 months 'night', the sun is an odd sight on the horizon and seeing it is a bit of a watershed moment. So says Keith, in his blog "Life at the South Pole".
Photos taken by ALE guests in Antarctica put a new spin on the old saying, "Take nothing but photos. Leave nothing but footprints" and show that footprints can be both intriguing and enduring.