Antarctica

The Thwaites Glacier is one of the hardest places in Antarctica to access, and scientists have only recently been able to go there to study it.

The melting and collapse of Thwaites Glacier could affect sea levels for years to come

Thwaites Glacier is considered the world's most important one — not just due to its size, but because of the massive amounts of ice that will melt due to global warming.

The melting and collapse of Thwaites Glacier could affect sea levels for years to come
An Emperor penguin jumps out of the water.

With global warming, Emperor penguins will 'have no place to breed' says researcher

With global warming, Emperor penguins will 'have no place to breed' says researcher
A vast, white sheet of ice

Rapid ice melt and sea-level rise will be part of our global future — no matter what

Rapid ice melt and sea-level rise will be part of our global future — no matter what
The Endurance, trapped in sea ice along the Weddell Sea.

'Pathways to possibility’: New book argues optimism is key to endurance through tough times

'Pathways to possibility’: New book argues optimism is key to endurance through tough times
A glacier in Half Moon Bay, Antarctica, Feb. 18, 2018.

200 years of exploring Antarctica — the world’s coldest, most forbidding and most peaceful continent

200 years of exploring Antarctica — the world’s coldest, most forbidding and most peaceful continent
Penguins stand on ice in Antarctica.

Emperor Penguins could march to extinction if nations fail to halt climate change

Emperor Penguins are facing extinction if the rapidly melting Antarctic ice is not preserved. Stephanie Jenouvrier, an Associate Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, explains what needs to be done to save the vulnerable species.

Emperor Penguins could march to extinction if nations fail to halt climate change
A tent stands on Antarctica’s sea ice.

Antarctic robot might lead way to life beyond Earth

An undersea robot in Antarctica might help us explore life beyond Earth — and understand the physics of glacier collapse.

Antarctic robot might lead way to life beyond Earth
Drone footage shows large icebergs that have recently broken off the ice shelf in West Antarctica.

If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it would change global coastlines forever

Scientists fear its collapse could one day destabilize surrounding glaciers and eventually trigger up to 11 feet of global sea level rise.

If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it would change global coastlines forever
Joee Patterson is shown with her arms outstretched while wearing sunglasses and a red safety vest.

For this marine tech, Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier drives home threat of climate change

Joee Patterson was one of four marine technicians on the Nathaniel B. Palmer research vessel during an expedition to Thwaites Glacier this past winter. The glacier is melting fast, and scientists fear that if it were to collapse entirely, it would trigger up to 11 feet of sea level rise.

For this marine tech, Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier drives home threat of climate change
Two yellow tents and a larger dome tent are staked into the snow. At the top of the image is a wing of a tiny prop plane.

These scientists used small explosions to 'see' under Antarctica and measure how fast a key glacier will melt

A team of four researchers spent 10 days in one of the remote places on earth to scout locations for sensors that will measure the warm water that is melting the Thwaites Glacier from below.

These scientists used small explosions to 'see' under Antarctica and measure how fast a key glacier will melt
A ma in a bright orange suit holds his left arm in the air as an elephant seal opens its mouth to bellow.

These high-tech seals are charting future sea level rise

Deep-diving seals equipped with satellite-enabled temperature probes are exploring uncharted waters, gathering data to help predict how fast West Antarctica’s glaciers may melt.

These high-tech seals are charting future sea level rise
Headline reads, "How can a seal track climate change?" with an animated elephant seal

How can a seal track climate change?

Scientists are using deep-diving seals to measure a band of warm water in Antarctica that is melting glaciers.

How can a seal track climate change?
chef

On a journey to Antarctica, a New Orleans chef awakens to the threat of melting ice

New Orleans native Jack Gilmore brought spicy hometown dishes like étouffée and gumbo to the menu aboard a scientific research ship. But he also learned what the warming of Antarctica might mean for his beloved city.

On a journey to Antarctica, a New Orleans chef awakens to the threat of melting ice
Woman wearing overalls and sunglasses holds and ax with both hands while looking at the camera.

'Hi, I want a job in Antarctica': Meet the first female researchers to blaze the path

In the spring of 1969, 19-year-old Terry Tickhill Terrell walked into the Institute of Polar Studies at OSU and told the secretary, “Hi, I want a job in Antarctica.”

'Hi, I want a job in Antarctica': Meet the first female researchers to blaze the path
Drone footage

This submarine’s historic tour under Thwaites Glacier will help scientists predict sea level rise

Oceanographer Anna Wåhlin brought an autonomous submarine aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer. It traveled underneath Thwaites to map the seafloor below.

This submarine’s historic tour under Thwaites Glacier will help scientists predict sea level rise