Antarctica

Penguins in Antarctica could actually be helping cool the climate… with their poop

5:57pm May 30, 2025

by Lauren Sommer

In places like Antarctica, small things can make a difference. Scientists are finding that penguin waste is helping form clouds, which could be offsetting the effects of climate change.

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First confirmed live observation of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, at depth in its natural habitat

A colossal squid is filmed in its natural habitat for the first time

4:00pm April 15, 2025

Colossal squid are known to be elusive and likely avoid the bright and loud research equipment used underwater.

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The world's largest iceberg is stuck twirling in an ocean vortex

7:08pm August 10, 2024

by Juliana Kim

Iceberg A23a — equivalent to the size of Rhode Island — has been near the South Orkney Islands since January, completing one full rotation every 24 days or so.

World News

Wreck of famed explorer Shackleton's last ship has been found off the coast of Canada

4:20am June 13, 2024

by The Associated Press

The explorer led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, and he was in the early stages of a fourth when he died of a heart attack aboard the Quest near the Falkland Islands.

The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is seen in this undated image from NASA. Areas of the glacier may be undergoing "vigorous melting" from warm ocean water caused by climate change, researchers say.

New research on Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier could reshape sea-level rise predictions

5:31pm May 21, 2024

by Joe Hernandez

At 80 miles across, Thwaites is the world's widest glacier. It has been nicknamed the "Doomsday Glacier" for the catastrophic effects its thawing could have on global sea-level rise.

In this undated photo provided by the Australian Antarctic Division, Casey research station is photographed from the air.

World News

An Australian who fell ill at a remote Antarctic base is rescued, authorities say

12:56am September 05, 2023

by The Associated Press

The man who fell ill is expected to arrive in Australia next week. Until then, he will be cared for in an icebreaker's specially equipped medical facility.

Young and old sea ice floats off the coast of Antarctica.

Antarctica has a lot less sea ice than usual. That's bad news for all of us

6:00am August 04, 2023

by Rebecca Hersher

It's the middle of the winter in Antarctica, when the ocean around the continent freezes. But this year there's less sea ice than ever recorded.

Galveston, Texas has some of the fastest sea level rise in the world. To protect the city, engineers need to know how fast ice in West Antarctica will melt.

How disappearing ice in Antarctica threatens the U.S.

4:58pm April 17, 2023

by Rebecca Hersher

Galveston, Texas has some of the fastest sea level rise in the world. To protect the city, engineers need to know how fast ice in West Antarctica will melt. Scientists are racing to figure it out.

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Flooding in Ocean City, N.J. in October 2020. Thousands of coastal cities around the world are already dealing with rising sea levels, and face catastrophic sea level rise if global warming triggers runaway ice melt.

Science

Humans must limit warming to avoid climate tipping points, new study finds

2:00pm September 08, 2022

by Rebecca Hersher

The Earth has already warmed more than 1 degree Celsius. New research suggests that above 1.5 degrees, massive ice melt, ocean current disruptions and coral die-offs are likely.

This satellite image shows the main piece of C-37 close to Bowman Island. Scientists are concerned because an ice shelf the size of New York City collapsed in East Antarctica, an area that had long been thought to be stable.

A previously stable ice shelf, the size of New York City, collapses in Antarctica

2:42pm March 25, 2022

by The Associated Press

The collapse, captured by satellite images, occurred in East Antarctica — an area long thought to be stable and not hit much by climate change, scientists say.