Science
The Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) undertakes a world-class program in polar research, and with a modern new research facility in Seoul and a new Antarctic Station under construction, they are fulfilling their mission.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is one of the key polar scientific puzzles for projecting the consequences of climate change. WAIS holds a potential 11-20 feet (3.3-6 meters) of global sea level rise and is inherently unstable because it is grounded on rock that lies well below sea level.
U.S. scientists have successfully drilled into Lake Whillans, a subglacial expanse of water hidden deep beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.
In the early hours of Christmas Day (Tuesday 25 December 2012) Professor Martin Siegert, Principal Investigator of the Subglacial Lake Ellsworth experiment, confirmed that the mission to drill into the lake has been called off for this Antarctic season. Drilling had been proceeding well, but was stopped when the team was unable to link the [...]
The ALE mechanical team has completed their first big project of the season, a 280 km tractor-train traverse to the Lake Ellsworth drilling site. The tractor-train loaded with equipment arrived at Lake Ellsworth on Saturday November 24, after a difficult journey through soft snow from Union Glacier Camp. ALE Team Preps Drill Site The mech [...]
Antarctica is the highest, driest and most remote of all continents yet we know remarkably little about its weather and how it fits into the global picture. A new research project aims to change that...
There is excitement in the air at ALE as we gear up for the new season, especially because of our logistic role in one of the top Antarctic science projects this year. Searching for Life in Antarctica’s Subglacial Lakes This season, after years of planning and logistic preparations, a team of British scientists and engineers [...]
In 1773, Captain Cook described the great southern continent Terra Australis Incognita as ‘A country doomed by nature never once to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays but to lie forever buried under everlasting snow and ice.’ With these words Professor Chris Turney, from University of New South Wales, introduces his research into climate [...]
Criosfera 1, the first Brazilian standalone module for atmospheric data collection, has arrived at its destination on the West Antarctic ice sheet. “It is a pioneering achievement of Brazil’s institutions and a landmark for the Brazilian Antarctic Program. When we return from the expedition, automatic equipment of weather monitoring, measurement of carbon dioxide, also [...]
An ancient lake hidden deep beneath West Antarctica’s Ice Sheet may reveal vital clues about climate change and future sea level rises, and uncover new forms of life, according to a group of UK engineers and scientists. Sub-glacial Lake Ellsworth Project (SLE) British Antarctic Survey (BAS) engineers are preparing to head off to Lake Ellsworth, [...]