https://www.antarctica.gov.au Cool Australian Antarctic Division news about scientific research, stations (bases), expeditioners, wildlife, ships, the environment and jobs in Antarctica. en-au Copyright 2026, Commonwealth of Australia Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:28:03 +1000 60 A possible “missing link” in the drivers of Antarctic sea-ice melt has been identified. Australian Antarctic Program scientists hypothesise that ocean waves cause surface melting of sea-ice floes, by washing over and flooding them, and by grinding them into a slush. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/from-flooding-to-greening-how-ocean-waves-contribute-to-the-melting-of-antarctic-sea-ice/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:05:00 +1000 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/from-flooding-to-greening-how-ocean-waves-contribute-to-the-melting-of-antarctic-sea-ice/ Greenhouse gases trapped in 3,000 year-old Antarctic ice are being extracted and analysed for clues to Earth’s climate past. The gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – were trapped as snow gradually compressed into ice, about one hundred metres below the surface. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/analysing-ancient-air-in-antarctic-ice-cores/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:31:00 +1000 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/analysing-ancient-air-in-antarctic-ice-cores/ AAD takes next step for the new research station on Macquarie Island https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/key-contracts-awarded-for-the-macquarie-island-station-project/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/key-contracts-awarded-for-the-macquarie-island-station-project/ The Australian Antarctic Division invites members of the public to submit comments on the draft Initial Environmental Evaluation of the Antarctic Infrastructure Renewal Program's Davis Critical Infrastructure Works. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/aad-calls-for-public-comment-on-draft-initial-environmental-evaluation-antarctic-infrastructure-renewal-program-davis-critical/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/aad-calls-for-public-comment-on-draft-initial-environmental-evaluation-antarctic-infrastructure-renewal-program-davis-critical/ The Australian Antarctic Program has completed two environmental management and research voyages to Heard Island and McDonald Islands – the first campaign of its kind in 20 years. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/heard-island-and-mcdonald-islands-campaign-delivers-key-objectives/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/heard-island-and-mcdonald-islands-campaign-delivers-key-objectives/ On International Women’s Day 2026 we’re celebrating 50 years of women’s participation in the Australian Antarctic Program. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/international-womens-day-2026/ Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/international-womens-day-2026/ Antarctic navigator and mariner, Captain John King Davis, has had a memorial stone and plaque added to his grave at the Melbourne General Cemetery. Despite his contributions to Antarctic exploration, Captain Davis's grave has been unmarked since his death in 1967. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/memorial-stone-plaque-placed-at-captain-john-king-daviss-grave/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/memorial-stone-plaque-placed-at-captain-john-king-daviss-grave/ Antarctic scientists have trialed a DNA ‘barcoding’ technique that could improve biosecurity measures that help protect polar ecosystems from invasive marine species. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/edna-surveys-could-improve-marine-biosecurity/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:09:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/edna-surveys-could-improve-marine-biosecurity/ The second season of drilling for the Million Year Ice Core project has finished. Scientists retrieved ice cores from 400 metres, containing a climate history of the past 13,100 years. Science Lead, Dr Joel Pedro, and Traverse Leader Damien Beloin, talk about the season's achievements. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/ice-age-drillers/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/ice-age-drillers/ Heard Island expeditioners are on their way home. https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/rsv-nuyina-heads-for-home-from-heard-island/ Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1100 https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2026/rsv-nuyina-heads-for-home-from-heard-island/