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Articles on Antarctica

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In contrast to common perceptions, Antarctic seafloor communities are highly diverse. This image shows a deep East Antarctic reef with plenty of corals, sponges and brittlestars. Can you spot the octopus? Australian Antarctic Division

Antarctic seas host a surprising mix of lifeforms – and now we can map them

Life on the Antarctic seafloor is surprisingly diverse – and half of the species live nowhere else on Earth. Now scientists can accurately map this unique biodiversity.
Southern bull kelp can drift huge distances before washing ashore. Ceridwen Fraser

How an alien seaweed invasion spawned an Antarctic mystery

A chance discovery of some kelp that floated for 20,000km before washing up on an Antarctic beach has opened up a new chapter in our understanding of the currents that swirl around the Southern Ocean.
As the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melts, the land beneath rebounds – at a faster rate than thought. NASA

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is in trouble – but the ground beneath it may buy some time

Scientists have found that the bedrock underneath the West Antarctica Ice Sheet has the potential to rebound in response to melting faster than thought, which could act to stabilize the ice.
As the world prevaricates over climate action, Antarctica’s future is shrouded in uncertainty. Hamish Pritchard/British Antarctic Survey

Antarctica has lost 3 trillion tonnes of ice in 25 years. Time is running out for the frozen continent

What will Antarctica look like in 2070? Will the icy wilderness we know today survive, or will it succumb to climate change and human pressure? Our choices over the coming decade will seal its fate.
The northeast edge of the Venable Ice Shelf, near Antarctica’s Allison Peninsula. NASA/John Sonntag

Short-term changes in Antarctica’s ice shelves are key to predicting their long-term fate

Last summer one of Antarctica’s floating ice shelves calved an iceberg the size of Delaware – but scientists say other less dramatic changes reveal more about how and why Antarctica is changing.
The Homeward Bound initiative works with women in science to enhance their opportunity to take up leadership roles globally. Oli Samson

How a trip to Antarctica became a real-life experiment in decision-making

This year 77 women took part in the largest all-female expedition to Antarctica as part of a leadership training program. Rough weather enroute put group decision-making skills to the test.
The team used hot-water drilling gear to melt a hole through Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf to explore the ocean below. Christina Hulbe

Climate scientists explore hidden ocean beneath Antarctica’s largest ice shelf

An international team has melted a hole through Antarctica’s largest ice shelf to explore the hidden ocean below, and the shelf’s vulnerability to climate change.
An Antarctic icebreaker sails past a penguin. But conservationists are still waiting for their own breakthrough. John B. Weller

Why are talks over an East Antarctic marine park still deadlocked?

Australia is among nations calling for a 1 million square km marine park off East Antarctica. But Russia and China remain opposed, and a recent summit yet again failed to seal the deal.

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