News archive: 2012
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Research helps scientists understand climate change risk to Antarctic food webs
A new dataset that highlights the dependence of algae on Antarctic sea ice will help scientists predict future food security for Southern Ocean herbivores such as krill.
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New Antarctic ice core project
Environment Minister, Tony Burke today announced a major new Australian-led project in Antarctica to advance the search for the scientific ‘holy grail’ of the million-year ice core, a frozen record of how our planet has evolved and changed and a guide to what might be in store.
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Remembering an heroic explorer
Friday 14 December 2012, marks 100 years since the death of Douglas Mawson’s sledging companion, Lieutenant Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis.
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Environment Minister visits Australian Antarctic Territory
Environment Minister, Tony Burke, today left for Antarctica to gain first-hand experience of the continent and to meet the men and women whose work is critical to the success of the Australian Antarctic program.
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A drop in applications from Australians applying to work in Antarctica, has prompted the Australian Antarctic Division to ask what are you waiting for?
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Antarctic science conference to be held in Hobart
A new Antarctic science conference will be held in Hobart in June 2013.
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A steady hand, good sea-legs and an eagle eye are essential ingredients for scientists deploying satellite tags on whales off southern Tasmania.
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Antarctic voyage brings home rare glimpse under the sea ice
An international sea ice voyage has returned to Hobart today with spectacular images of the world beneath the East Antarctic sea ice.
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Antarctic brief for Royal visitor
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales today was briefed on Australia’s Antarctic science program and Tasmania’s role as the hub for major Antarctic research institutions.
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Progress but no agreement on Antarctic Marine Protected Areas
Australia is disappointed its proposal to establish one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in East Antarctica was not adopted at this year’s Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, but remains committed to pursuing the initiative.
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Australia’s ice breaker Aurora Australis remains in heavy sea ice off East Antarctica delaying the ship’s return to Hobart.
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Australia, France and European Union propose Marine Protected Areas in East Antarctica
Australia, France and the European Union have proposed a representative system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the high seas of East Antarctica covering 1.9 million square kilometres.
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First 3-D map of under the East Antarctic sea ice
For the first time in East Antarctica, climate scientists have produced a three-dimensional (3-D) map of the surface beneath a sea ice floe, revealing an inverted complex topography evocative of lakes and mountain ranges.
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Fellowship to tell the story of longest-serving Antarctic ship
The 2012 Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship has been awarded to Australian writer Favel Parrett.
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2012-13 Antarctic Station Leaders
Australia’s new Antarctic Station Leaders are preparing to go south to take up their positions on the icy continent and Macquarie Island for 2012-13.
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Eavesdropping on the elusive blue whale
Australian Antarctic scientists have successfully tested new acoustic technology to track and locate scores of blue whales hundreds of kilometres away by eavesdropping on the resonating song of these rare and elusive animals.
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25 years of protecting the ozone layer
It is 25 years since the world took urgent action to slow the catastrophic decline of ozone in the earth’s atmosphere with the signing of the Montreal Protocol.
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High-tech voyage will investigate life in the sea-ice zone
For the first time under-ice and airborne vehicles will be used simultaneously to investigate the impacts of climate change on the sea-ice environment off East Antarctica.
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Deep sea lighthouse lures Antarctic krill
A deep sea ‘lighthouse’ 2000 to 3000 m below the sea ice will be used to lure Antarctic krill into a research trap during a spring sea ice voyage departing Friday.
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Australian Antarctic season 2012-13
Australia’s action-packed Antarctic season is underway with more than 90 projects and 550 people heading south this year.
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Ice core reveals unusual decline in eastern Australian rainfall
Researchers from the ACE CRC and the Australian Antarctic Division have found evidence from ice cores of a long term decline in average annual rainfall in eastern Australia.
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Macquarie Island book wins literary award
A children’s book on Macquarie Island by Australian Antarctic Arts Fellows, Coral Tulloch and Alison Lester, has won a national literary award.
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Antarctic nations working together
Environment Minister Tony Burke has commended Australia’s effort in repatriating an unwell expeditioner from McMurdo Station, America’s base in Antarctica.
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Antarctic scientists take high-tech approach to sea ice studies
As Australia celebrates National Science Week an international team of Antarctic scientists is assembling a collection of high-tech equipment to study the physical and biological sea ice environment during a two-month marine science voyage.
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Australia to assist in medical emergency
The Australian Antarctic Division has been asked to assist in the repatriation of an expeditioner from the American Antarctic McMurdo station.
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Antarctic equipment to help restore sight in East Timor
The Australian Antarctic Division is donating four eye examination microscopes to help with sight-restoring surgery in East Timor.
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New research closes the gap between warming and rising carbon dioxide
Scientists have shed new light on one of the most important questions in climate science: the time lag between changes in temperature and changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the past.
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New Mawson's Huts Management Plan
The management plan for Australia’s historic Mawson’s Huts site in East Antarctica is up for review.
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Antarctic moss thrives on ancient penguin poo
Luxuriant moss beds growing near Casey station in Antarctica are being nourished by the remains of an ancient Adélie penguin colony.
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A new documentary film following Australian Antarctic Division scientists undertaking non-lethal whale research in the Southern Ocean will premier in Hobart.
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Australia continues push for reform at International Whaling Commission
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke leaves today for the 64th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in the Republic of Panama.
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New Antarctic waterfront facility a step closer
A specially-designed Australian Antarctic Division facility on Hobart’s waterfront is a step closer with work on the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf Number 2 to start next month.
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Environment Minister Tony Burke has congratulated the recipients of the 2012 Antarctic Medal which is awarded for outstanding service to the Australian Antarctic program.
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Australia leads Antarctic protection legacy
Australia and other Antarctic nations have today reaffirmed their commitment to protect and preserve Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.
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Antarctic Bill strengthens environmental protection
Legislation to further strengthen environmental protection and tourist safety in Antarctica has passed the Federal Parliament.
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The Antarctic Treaty system ensures protecting the unique Antarctic environment is a fundamental consideration in the planning and conduct of all activities in Antarctica.
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Antarctica divided into distinct biogeographic regions
New research into the biogeography of Antarctica has identified 15 distinct regions on the continent and near-shore islands.
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Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting 2012 begins
Australia today welcomes more than 300 delegates from among the 50 Antarctic nations to Hobart for the 35th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.
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Antarctic nations gather in Hobart
For the first time in nearly three decades Australia will host the significant Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), with more than 300 delegates from 50 nations in Hobart for the eight day conference.
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Ice Relay raises $11,300 for charity
The world’s southern most Relay for Life at Casey station in Antarctica has raised $11,300 for the Cancer Council Tasmania.
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Antarctic musings win literary award
Antarctic Arts Fellow, Jesse Blackadder, has won a literary award at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
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Antarctic air crash victims remembered
A ceremony has been held at Wilkes station in East Antarctica to commemorate the victims of a fatal plane accident at the site 50 years ago.
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Intrepid Casey station expeditioners will battle sub-zero temperatures and darkness when they take part in the 24 hour Cancer Council Relay for Life later this month.
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Greater protection for seabird species
A critically endangered northern hemisphere petrel species will be better protected after a recent international conservation meeting.
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Investing in a Sustainable Australia
The Gillard Government has maintained its commitment to protecting and conserving our unique environment in the 2012-13 Budget.
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Southern Ocean Sentinel eye on the future
The world’s leading experts on Southern Ocean ecosystems are in Hobart this week to discuss mechanisms to monitor the impacts of climate change on the region.
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Latest Southern Ocean research shows continuing deep ocean change
New research by teams of Australian and US scientists has found there has been a massive reduction in the amount of Antarctic Bottom Water found off the coast of Antarctica.
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Scientists count penguins from space
A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are twice as many emperor penguins in Antarctica than was previously thought. The results provide an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population of this iconic bird.
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A small group of Australian Antarctic expeditioners completed an ice marathon during the weekend, from the Antarctic Circle to Casey station.
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New Chief Scientist for Australian Antarctic program
Australia’s Antarctic science program has a new Chief Scientist.
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A glimpse into the lives of Mawson's men
A rare glimpse into the daily lives of the men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, led by Sir Douglas Mawson a century ago, is on display in a photographic exhibition at Parliament House in Canberra.
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Weeding out the aliens in Antarctica
A new international study has found alien plant species are increasingly hitchhiking their way to Antarctica on scientists and tourists and could threaten the delicate frozen ecosystem.
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Remarkable natural event seen from space
As summer comes to a close, wind blowing snow off the Amery Ice Shelf in East Antarctica appears to have released nutrients which, combined with sunlight, have triggered a massive algal bloom.
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Greater protection endorsed for Antarctica
Environment Minister Tony Burke today welcomed the passage through the House of Representatives of legislation aimed at strengthening environmental protection and tourist safety in Antarctica.
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Former Antarctic scientist recognised in Australia Day Honours List
Former Antarctic scientist and explorer, Dr Jon Stephenson, was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia on Australia Day.
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Antarctic centenary celebrated at Mawson's home of the blizzard
A message from the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has been read at a commemorative event at Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica to honour the men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, led by Douglas Mawson 100 years ago.
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Douglas Mawson's scientific Australasian Antarctic Expedition laid the foundations of the Australian Antarctic Division's modern science program.
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Australia to mark Mawson's heroic Antarctic expedition
One hundred years since the first Australian-led Antarctic expedition set foot on the frozen continent, a new group of modern-day expeditioners will honour their momentous achievements.