Polar science highlights
The following are some examples of our polar research.
Turbulence changes Arctic's role in climate change
6 April 2011
The loss of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean caused by a warming environment could be made worse by previously undetected turbulence. Turbulence changes Arctic's role in climate change
Antarctic Ice Sheet may be more stable than thought
15 March 2011
A detailed study has revealed that the giant West Antarctic Ice Sheet may have remained intact for at least 200,000 years. Antarctic Ice Sheet may be more stable than thought
Cryosat-2 data reveals Arctic ocean circulation
21 December 2010
Scientists have used data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) ice mission, Cryosat-2 to create the first complete map of ocean circulation in the Arctic. Cryosat-2 data reveals Arctic ocean circulation
Scientists start fine-tuning first Cryosat-2 data
21 July 2010
The first set of data from ESA's ice mission, Cryosat-2, has been sent to a select group of scientists for fine-tuning. Scientists start fine-tuning first Cryosat-2 data
Scientists find life near the South Pole
5 May 2010
Scientists have found a simple but functioning community of bacteria and micro-organisms thriving in the lakes and soils of the Dufek Massif region in Antarctica. Scientists find life near the South Pole
Successful launch for ESA's CryoSat-2 ice mission
8 April 2010
At 14:57 GMT on Thursday 8 April, the European Space Agency successfully launched its ice mission CryoSat-2 from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Successful launch for ESA's CryoSat-2 ice mission
Methane plumes rising from Arctic seabed
24 August 2009
Scientists have found more than 250 plumes of methane gas rising from the seabed near Svalbard in the Arctic Circle. Methane plumes rising from Arctic seabed
Autosub under ice
18 March 2009
A UK-built robot submarine has successfully returned from a perilous 110-kilometre expedition under an Antarctic ice shelf - the Pine Island Glacier. Autosub under ice
Lake Ellesworth Project
2 March 2009
An international team of scientists led by the UK has been given the go-ahead to explore one of the planet's last great frontiers - an ancient lake hidden deep beneath Antarctica's ice sheet. Lake Ellesworth Project
Alps beneath Antarctic Ice Sheet
24 February 2009
A massive yet enigmatic mountain range as big as the Alps lying deep beneath Antarctica's ice has been surveyed in detail for the first time. Alps beneath Antarctic Ice Sheet