British Antarctic Survey 🐧
@bas.ac.uk
We're the UK's polar research institute 👋 Uncovering the secrets of Earth's frozen places, doing science for a sustainable planet.
Looking for a seriously remote job? https://bas.ac.uk/vacancies
Looking for a seriously remote job? https://bas.ac.uk/vacancies
Signy Research Station is open for the season! 🎉
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Signy Research Station is open for the season! 🎉
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
This team in the South Orkney Islands research seabirds and terrestrial ecology.
They were dropped off by RRS Sir David Attenborough - along with a band of helpers who cleared the snow, hauled in cargo, and helped bring power and water online 💙
Ever wondered what it takes to stay warm in Antarctica? 🧣🧤
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Ever wondered what it takes to stay warm in Antarctica? 🧣🧤
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
In this episode of Iceworld, host Nadia Frontier talks to Emma Pearce about exactly that.
Bonus points if you can tell us how many layers you heard Emma mention!
Climate scientist Michelle Maclennan is interviewed on The Naked Scientists podcast 🎙️
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Climate scientist Michelle Maclennan is interviewed on The Naked Scientists podcast 🎙️
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
From heatwaves to intense storms, Michelle explains how the continent's 'memory' of extreme events means future impacts are likely to be amplified by past damage.
Listen now: https://tinyurl.com/4e4772yb
The team at Bird Island Research Station track the individual giant petrels and nests each year on the island, which helps them piece together stories like this.
This long-term view at Bird Island also tells us about the wider health of the ecosystem and the impact of human activities like fishing.
This long-term view at Bird Island also tells us about the wider health of the ecosystem and the impact of human activities like fishing.
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The team at Bird Island Research Station track the individual giant petrels and nests each year on the island, which helps them piece together stories like this.
This long-term view at Bird Island also tells us about the wider health of the ecosystem and the impact of human activities like fishing.
This long-term view at Bird Island also tells us about the wider health of the ecosystem and the impact of human activities like fishing.
She returned to breed on Bird Island in 2004 and raised a chick 🪶
From 2004-10, she remained with the same male until he died. She found a new partner, with whom she has bred with every year since 2013.
Over her lifetime, the teams have seen her successfully rear nine chicks, with eight losses.
From 2004-10, she remained with the same male until he died. She found a new partner, with whom she has bred with every year since 2013.
Over her lifetime, the teams have seen her successfully rear nine chicks, with eight losses.
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
She returned to breed on Bird Island in 2004 and raised a chick 🪶
From 2004-10, she remained with the same male until he died. She found a new partner, with whom she has bred with every year since 2013.
Over her lifetime, the teams have seen her successfully rear nine chicks, with eight losses.
From 2004-10, she remained with the same male until he died. She found a new partner, with whom she has bred with every year since 2013.
Over her lifetime, the teams have seen her successfully rear nine chicks, with eight losses.
As it's breeding time for giant petrels on Bird Island, meet the oldest female giant petrel on the island ⬇️
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
As it's breeding time for giant petrels on Bird Island, meet the oldest female giant petrel on the island ⬇️
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
She hatched there in 1989, making her an impressive 36 years old.
This season, she decided to build her nest next to the path, where the team greet her every day as they go past 🪶
Postcard from Antarctica: our Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station is taking shape 📬- a new scientific support and operations facility.
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Postcard from Antarctica: our Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station is taking shape 📬- a new scientific support and operations facility.
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
All part of modernising our largest research station for the future of polar science 🧊
Image credit: BAM 📷
Read more: www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/2...
Happy Polar Pride Day! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Happy Polar Pride Day! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Today is a special day in the international polar science and operations community when we celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Polar science is the ultimate teamwork environment - and making sure everyone feels included and welcome is crucial.
Halley Research Station is open for business!
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Halley Research Station is open for business!
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
After a stop at Neumayer, serenaded with a horn farewell, the team reached Halley - only to find one door had reinvented itself as a wall… a wall of snow.
They’re melting it in tea urns for water and slowly getting the station ready for the season.
Congratulations Dr Kaitlin Naughten on receiving the EGU Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists!
Her work has transformed understanding of Antarctic ice-shelf melt and future sea-level rise.
She says, “It was a lovely surprise to hear that I'd won this prestigious award."
Her work has transformed understanding of Antarctic ice-shelf melt and future sea-level rise.
She says, “It was a lovely surprise to hear that I'd won this prestigious award."
November 14, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Congratulations Dr Kaitlin Naughten on receiving the EGU Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists!
Her work has transformed understanding of Antarctic ice-shelf melt and future sea-level rise.
She says, “It was a lovely surprise to hear that I'd won this prestigious award."
Her work has transformed understanding of Antarctic ice-shelf melt and future sea-level rise.
She says, “It was a lovely surprise to hear that I'd won this prestigious award."
This stark finding shows how important long-term monitoring of wildlife in Antarctica is. Scientists from British Antarctic Survey ramped up to annual counts of southern elephant seals in 2015, giving us vital data to distinguish between short-term fluctuations and enduring impacts.
📸 Kate Owen
📸 Kate Owen
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This stark finding shows how important long-term monitoring of wildlife in Antarctica is. Scientists from British Antarctic Survey ramped up to annual counts of southern elephant seals in 2015, giving us vital data to distinguish between short-term fluctuations and enduring impacts.
📸 Kate Owen
📸 Kate Owen
Breeding southern elephant seals gather in large numbers on South Georgia's beaches, with 'harems' of anywhere from 20-300 females, guarded by a male 'beachmaster'. With the seals packed together in close proximity, it's much easier for viruses - like bird flu - to spread quickly.
📸Antony Clements
📸Antony Clements
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Breeding southern elephant seals gather in large numbers on South Georgia's beaches, with 'harems' of anywhere from 20-300 females, guarded by a male 'beachmaster'. With the seals packed together in close proximity, it's much easier for viruses - like bird flu - to spread quickly.
📸Antony Clements
📸Antony Clements
Researchers used drones to survey the 3 largest breeding colonies on South Georgia, comparing numbers of breeding females before & after the outbreak. The findings were stark: around 53,000 females were missing - nearly half the breeding population.
📸 Kate Owen
📸 Kate Owen
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Researchers used drones to survey the 3 largest breeding colonies on South Georgia, comparing numbers of breeding females before & after the outbreak. The findings were stark: around 53,000 females were missing - nearly half the breeding population.
📸 Kate Owen
📸 Kate Owen
🦭 South Georgia is home to the largest population of southern elephant seals in the world
📅 The virus (known as HPAI H5N1) arrived at South Georgia in late 2023
⬇️ Between 2022 and 2024, colonies of breeding southern elephant seals declined by an average of 47%
📸 Kate Owen
📅 The virus (known as HPAI H5N1) arrived at South Georgia in late 2023
⬇️ Between 2022 and 2024, colonies of breeding southern elephant seals declined by an average of 47%
📸 Kate Owen
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
🦭 South Georgia is home to the largest population of southern elephant seals in the world
📅 The virus (known as HPAI H5N1) arrived at South Georgia in late 2023
⬇️ Between 2022 and 2024, colonies of breeding southern elephant seals declined by an average of 47%
📸 Kate Owen
📅 The virus (known as HPAI H5N1) arrived at South Georgia in late 2023
⬇️ Between 2022 and 2024, colonies of breeding southern elephant seals declined by an average of 47%
📸 Kate Owen
Bad news in from South Georgia - the population of breeding female elephant seals has nearly halved following a bird flu outbreak on the sub-Antarctic island.
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Bad news in from South Georgia - the population of breeding female elephant seals has nearly halved following a bird flu outbreak on the sub-Antarctic island.
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
Here's what we know so far...
📸 Connor Bamford
Will our mountains lose their snow and ice?
And does it matter if they do?
These questions are answered by BAS glaciologist Dr Hamish Pritchard in a major new UNESCO report for the UN International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Read the report here: https://ow.ly/TFTH50XptZc
And does it matter if they do?
These questions are answered by BAS glaciologist Dr Hamish Pritchard in a major new UNESCO report for the UN International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Read the report here: https://ow.ly/TFTH50XptZc
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Will our mountains lose their snow and ice?
And does it matter if they do?
These questions are answered by BAS glaciologist Dr Hamish Pritchard in a major new UNESCO report for the UN International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Read the report here: https://ow.ly/TFTH50XptZc
And does it matter if they do?
These questions are answered by BAS glaciologist Dr Hamish Pritchard in a major new UNESCO report for the UN International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
Read the report here: https://ow.ly/TFTH50XptZc
Weekend goals: be as chilled out as this seal mum while handling breakfast time with the kids ☕
Marine scientists Katie Wells and Rhi Nichol took a moment to capture this serene scene while monitoring elephant seals in South Georgia, near Antarctica.
#WeekendMood
Marine scientists Katie Wells and Rhi Nichol took a moment to capture this serene scene while monitoring elephant seals in South Georgia, near Antarctica.
#WeekendMood
November 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Weekend goals: be as chilled out as this seal mum while handling breakfast time with the kids ☕
Marine scientists Katie Wells and Rhi Nichol took a moment to capture this serene scene while monitoring elephant seals in South Georgia, near Antarctica.
#WeekendMood
Marine scientists Katie Wells and Rhi Nichol took a moment to capture this serene scene while monitoring elephant seals in South Georgia, near Antarctica.
#WeekendMood
Here's the latest weather reports the @metoffice.gov.uk have put together to help our team travel to Halley Research Station on Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf.
The team use these reports and webcams at Halley to judge conditions - really tricky predict in detail over such a large and remote area.
The team use these reports and webcams at Halley to judge conditions - really tricky predict in detail over such a large and remote area.
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Here's the latest weather reports the @metoffice.gov.uk have put together to help our team travel to Halley Research Station on Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf.
The team use these reports and webcams at Halley to judge conditions - really tricky predict in detail over such a large and remote area.
The team use these reports and webcams at Halley to judge conditions - really tricky predict in detail over such a large and remote area.
To get to Halley Research Station, the team fly from Heathrow to Cape Town, then on to Wolf’s Fang camp.
This is where the team are now, waiting for a window of good weather so they can fly on to Halley, via Neumayer Research Station, run by the German Antarctic Programme.
This is where the team are now, waiting for a window of good weather so they can fly on to Halley, via Neumayer Research Station, run by the German Antarctic Programme.
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
To get to Halley Research Station, the team fly from Heathrow to Cape Town, then on to Wolf’s Fang camp.
This is where the team are now, waiting for a window of good weather so they can fly on to Halley, via Neumayer Research Station, run by the German Antarctic Programme.
This is where the team are now, waiting for a window of good weather so they can fly on to Halley, via Neumayer Research Station, run by the German Antarctic Programme.
Landing at Wolf's Fang, a staging camp on the Antarctic continent 🇦🇶
The team are on the way to Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
They were meant to get to Halley today, but weather on the rest of their route is causing delays. Not a bad view to wait with though, eh?
The team are on the way to Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
They were meant to get to Halley today, but weather on the rest of their route is causing delays. Not a bad view to wait with though, eh?
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Landing at Wolf's Fang, a staging camp on the Antarctic continent 🇦🇶
The team are on the way to Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
They were meant to get to Halley today, but weather on the rest of their route is causing delays. Not a bad view to wait with though, eh?
The team are on the way to Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
They were meant to get to Halley today, but weather on the rest of their route is causing delays. Not a bad view to wait with though, eh?
We were researching the history of Rothera Research Station, and stumbled across this incredible photo.
It's giving Batcopter 🚁
The UK's first major aerial survey of the Antarctic Peninsula was 1955-57. The Falkland Island Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition used flying boats and helicopters ⬇️
It's giving Batcopter 🚁
The UK's first major aerial survey of the Antarctic Peninsula was 1955-57. The Falkland Island Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition used flying boats and helicopters ⬇️
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We were researching the history of Rothera Research Station, and stumbled across this incredible photo.
It's giving Batcopter 🚁
The UK's first major aerial survey of the Antarctic Peninsula was 1955-57. The Falkland Island Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition used flying boats and helicopters ⬇️
It's giving Batcopter 🚁
The UK's first major aerial survey of the Antarctic Peninsula was 1955-57. The Falkland Island Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition used flying boats and helicopters ⬇️
A new era begins! 💡 The Discovery Building at the Rothera Research Station is finally coming to life this season.
It's the new beating heart of the UK's largest Antarctic station, bringing much of the station under one roof.
It's the new beating heart of the UK's largest Antarctic station, bringing much of the station under one roof.
October 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A new era begins! 💡 The Discovery Building at the Rothera Research Station is finally coming to life this season.
It's the new beating heart of the UK's largest Antarctic station, bringing much of the station under one roof.
It's the new beating heart of the UK's largest Antarctic station, bringing much of the station under one roof.
Look at this one. Tell us how long it would take you to accurately label this by hand. AGES.
What's the hurry? ⏰ Most creatures in the Southern Ocean are adapted only for the cold.
We're racing against the clock to understand what animals live there and which species are at greatest risk.
🧵 3/4
What's the hurry? ⏰ Most creatures in the Southern Ocean are adapted only for the cold.
We're racing against the clock to understand what animals live there and which species are at greatest risk.
🧵 3/4
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Look at this one. Tell us how long it would take you to accurately label this by hand. AGES.
What's the hurry? ⏰ Most creatures in the Southern Ocean are adapted only for the cold.
We're racing against the clock to understand what animals live there and which species are at greatest risk.
🧵 3/4
What's the hurry? ⏰ Most creatures in the Southern Ocean are adapted only for the cold.
We're racing against the clock to understand what animals live there and which species are at greatest risk.
🧵 3/4
📣 Dr @camerontrotter.bsky.social explains:
"The images are packed full of weird and unusually shaped animals, often living on top of each other - some of which have never been seen before."
The team trained AI to identify seafloor creatures near Antarctica, like starfish, corals, and fish.
🧵 2/4
"The images are packed full of weird and unusually shaped animals, often living on top of each other - some of which have never been seen before."
The team trained AI to identify seafloor creatures near Antarctica, like starfish, corals, and fish.
🧵 2/4
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
📣 Dr @camerontrotter.bsky.social explains:
"The images are packed full of weird and unusually shaped animals, often living on top of each other - some of which have never been seen before."
The team trained AI to identify seafloor creatures near Antarctica, like starfish, corals, and fish.
🧵 2/4
"The images are packed full of weird and unusually shaped animals, often living on top of each other - some of which have never been seen before."
The team trained AI to identify seafloor creatures near Antarctica, like starfish, corals, and fish.
🧵 2/4
Supercharged seafloor spotting! 🐚
Our AI and science teams have been using machine learning to label surveys of the Antarctic seafloor. It's dramatically sped them up from <8 hours per photo, to a few seconds.
This one looks like a quick job. But stay with us as we up the difficulty...
🧵 1/4
Our AI and science teams have been using machine learning to label surveys of the Antarctic seafloor. It's dramatically sped them up from <8 hours per photo, to a few seconds.
This one looks like a quick job. But stay with us as we up the difficulty...
🧵 1/4
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Supercharged seafloor spotting! 🐚
Our AI and science teams have been using machine learning to label surveys of the Antarctic seafloor. It's dramatically sped them up from <8 hours per photo, to a few seconds.
This one looks like a quick job. But stay with us as we up the difficulty...
🧵 1/4
Our AI and science teams have been using machine learning to label surveys of the Antarctic seafloor. It's dramatically sped them up from <8 hours per photo, to a few seconds.
This one looks like a quick job. But stay with us as we up the difficulty...
🧵 1/4