2026 in Antarctica
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This is a list of events occurring in Antarctica in 2026.
Ongoing events
[edit]January
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- 2 January — Glaciologist Heidi Sevestre and explorer Matthieu Tordeur reach the South pole on the 61st day of their ice mapping "Under Antarctica" snowkiting expedition.[2]
- 4 January – The South Korean National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) announces 16 Korean names for geographic features around Jang Bogo Station, selected from proposals by the country's public for submission to the Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica.[3]
- 5 January – NASA scientific balloon which carries Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) starts its ascent into the air, after its launch on 20 December 2025.[4][5]
- 6 January
- Astrobiologist Dale Andersen and his team fly aboard an IL-76TD from Cape Town to Novolazarevskaya Station before an overland traverse to their camp at Lake Untersee for research coordinated by the SETI Institute.[6][7][8][9]
- Participants of the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic expedition celebrate Epiphany at St. Kliment Ohridski Base, Livingston Island.[10]
- 7 January
- A new Australian ice core drill, designed by the Australian Antarctic Division for the Million Year Ice Core (MYIC) project, collects its first ice core at the Dome C North drilling site (1,200 km from Casey Station).[11]
- The South Korean icebreaker RV Araon with nearly 40 scientists aboard reaches the Thwaites glacier after a 12-day journey from New Zealand and its research campaign begins.[12]
- The Dutch-flagged heavy lift vessel Plantijngracht departs Port Hueneme, California with U.S. Military Sealift Command cargo for McMurdo Station.[13]
- 8 January
- The Bulgarian research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii visits the Spanish Gabriel de Castilla Base on Deception Island to deliver supplies.[14]
- A new group of logisticians arrives at the Bulgarian St. Kliment Ohridski Base after traveling by plane from Punta Arenas to King George Island and then aboard Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii.[15]
- U.S. National Ice Center estimates the remaining area of the iceberg A23a in early January at 1,182 square kilometers.[16]
- 9 January
- Colin O'Brady becames the first person to cross the Ross Ice Shelf solo, unsupported, and fully human powered.[17][18]
- Scientists aboard the Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina study wildlife and landscape of Heard Island on the vessel's second visit this season.[19]
- A planned call between Astrobiologist Dale Andersen in Antarctica and his friend and colleague Zena Cardman on the ISS cancelled after NASA decided to cut short the Crew-11 mission for medical reasons.[20][21]
- NASA's General AntiParticle Spectrometer (GAPS) balloon-borne experiment returns to ice after 25 days in flight.[22]
- 11 January
- Astrobiologist Dale Andersen and his team travel on snowmobiles from Novolazarevskaya Station to Lake Untersee.[23][20]
- The sailing research vessels Malizia Explorer and WHY (operated by the Under The Pole team) reunite near Western Antarctic Peninsula for a joint scientific expedition to study mesophotic ecosystems through deep diving.[24]
- 12 January
- U.S. Coast Guard's heavy icebreaker Polar Star is carving a path through ice in the McMurdo Sound on its 29th "Deep Freeze" deployment to allow ships to resupply McMurdo Station.[25]
- NASA's Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) balloon-borne experiment returns to ice after 23 days in flight.[22]
- 13 January — Scientists aboard the Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina return to Heard Island after an enforced absence due to the weather.[26]
- 14 January
- Search underway for a missing diver working for the French Polar Institute at Adélie Land.[27]
- The Ice Memory Foundation opens its ice core archive at Concordia Station in Antarctica, storing the first samples from glaciers on Grand Combin, Switzerland and Mont Blanc, France.[28][29][30][31] The samples traveled from Trieste for more than 50 days aboard the Italian icebreaker Laura Bassi.[32]
- The "Under Antarctica" expeditioners Heidi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur skirt the Thiel Mountains on their way from the South Pole to Hercules inlet, while mapping deep ice layers using radar on pulkas.[33]
- 15 January — Researchers from Université Grenoble-Alpes, University of Edinburgh, and Dartmouth College publish a new detailed map of Antarctica's subglacial topography based on satellite measurements of ice surface and known interactions between ice and bedrock. Among the newly documented features is a large trench carved into the Maud Subglacial Basin.[34][35] The work is published in Science.[36]
- 16 January
- The South Korean icebreaker RV Araon visits Pine Island Glacier.[37]
- Researchers from Masaryk University and Mendel University leave Czechia for a journey to Mendel Polar Station.[38][39]
- Colombia's research vessel ARC Simon Bolivar reaches Antarctica as part of the XII Colombian Scientific Expedition.[40]
- 16 to 20 January — A team of U.S. government officials conduct inspections of other nations' research stations in Antarctica.[41]
- 17 January
- A group of scientists, medical staff, and logisticians from the Spanish Juan Carlos I Base visit the Bulgarian St. Kliment Ohridski Base to discuss future collaboration and mutual assistance if needed.[42]
- Lake Untersee base camp is completed by the astrobiological team led by Dale Andersen.[43]
- USCG Polar Star frees the cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II from pack ice near McMurdo Sound.[44][45]
- 18 January
- The French icebreaker L'Astrolabe departs Hobart to help with the search for the missing diver near Dumont d'Urville Station.[46]
- The "Under Antarctica" expeditioners Heidi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur report passing by the refueling point at Thiel Corner and later by the Brazilian scientific station Criosfera 1 on their way toward Hercules Inlet.[47]
- 19 January — Scientists from RV Araon set up camp on Thwaites Glacier.[48]
- 21 January
- At 19:50 UTC, the "Under Antarctica" expeditioners Heidi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur arrive at Hercules Inlet, completing their 80-days-long snowkiting expedition dedicated to mapping the ice with ground-penetrating radar.[49]
- The National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine announces that meteorologist Anzhelika Hanchuk (Анжеліка Ганчук) will become the first woman to lead a year-long expedition at Vernadsky Research Base, the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition in 2026–2027.[50]
- 22 January — Ukrainian scientists at Vernadsky Research Base celebrate Unity of Ukraine Day.[51]
- 24 January — French Polar Institute confirms that the body of Gérald Malaussena, the diver missing since 13 January near Dumont d'Urville Station, has been found thanks to assistance by US Coast Guard.[46][52]
- 25 January — Australian icebreaker RSV Nuyina departs Heard Island after concluding its second research visit this season.[53]
- 26 January — The National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine launches the country's first polar biology laboratory dedicated to analyzing biological samples from Antarctica.[54]
- 27 January — Turkey launches its 10th National Antarctic Scientific Expedition with a farewell ceremony at Istanbul Airport.[55]
- 29 January
- RAF and the Chilean Air Force conclude the operation "Austral Endurance" which included A400M flights over British Antarctic Survey sites and cooperation with RRS Sir David Attenborough in the Antarctic.[56]
- Researches from BAS and KOPRI establish their drill site on Thwaites Glacier after over 40 helicopter rotations between RV Araon and the glacier.[57][58]
- 30 January — Argentina's logistics ship ARA Patagonia is being resupplied in Buenos Aires, marking the "practical start" of the country's 122nd Antarctic Summer Campaign.[59][60]
- 31 January
- After melting a hole through Thwaites Glacier, researches from BAS and KOPRI manage to take measurements from the sea water below using temporary instruments but fail to install the planned long-term measuring instruments that would monitor the sub-glacier environment for one to two years.[61][62]
- Ukrainian icebreaker Noosfera departs Punta Arenas, carrying members of the first Mexican Antarctic research campaign CAMEX-1 to Vernadsky Station. This mission marks Mexico's integration into the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).[63]
February
[edit]- 1 February — The fourth group of participants in Bulgaria's 34th Antarctic Expedition arrives at St. Kliment Ohridski Base.[64]
- 2 February — The 10th Turkish Antarctic Expedition visits Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii and St. Kliment Ohridski Base before continuing its journey to Horseshoe Island for geology research.[65]
- 3 February — The Bulgarian research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii visits the Hannah Point peninsula for collection of scientific samples.[66]
- 6 February — Ukraine celebrates 30 years since the transfer of Vernadsky research base from the UK.[67][68]
- 8 February — The 10th Turkish Antarctic Expedition arrives at the Turkish Antarctic Research Station on Horseshoe Island.[69]
See also
[edit]- 2026 in science
- 2026 in spaceflight
- 2026 in climate change
- 2026 in the environment
- Southern Ocean
- South Pole
- Antarctic ice sheet
References
[edit]- ^ "How to save Antarctica (and the rest of Earth too) | Imperial News". Imperial College London. 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2025-12-31.
- ^ "D61 - The South Pole after 61 Days and 2,700 km of expedition | News | Under Antarctica Expedition". Under Antarctica. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ^ CHOSUNBIZ (2026-01-04). "Korea names Antarctic peak Cheonghaebong and seeks international registration". CHOSUNBIZ. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Scientific Balloon Begins Antarctic Ascent - NASA".
- ^ "Soaring over Antarctica: UH balloon mission seeks to decode universe's mysteries". UH News.
- ^ Cowing, Keith (2026-01-06). "Dale Andersen's Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 6 January 2026: Flying South to Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
- ^ Cowing, Keith (2026-01-06). "Astrobiology Expedition to Lake Untersee Antarctica Is Underway". NASA Watch. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
- ^ Cowing, Keith (2026-01-07). "Dale Andersen's Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 7 January 2026: Arrival At Novolazarevskaya Station, Antarctica". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "Dale Andersen 2026 Antarctic Field Season". www.seti.org. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ "Alexander Naydenov pulled the cross out of the icy waters of Antarctica". Fakti.bg - Да извадим фактите наяве (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "Australia's deep drill cuts its first Antarctic ice core – Australian Antarctic Program (News 2026)". www.antarctica.gov.au. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Zhong, Raymond (7 January 2026). "The Icebreaker Reaches the Thwaites Glacier, and the Science Begins". The New York Times.
- ^ "U.S. Antarctic Resupply Mission Underway with Chartered Dutch Ship". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ "RSV 421 Delivers Equipment for Laboratory at Spanish Antarctic Base". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ^ "New Logistics Team Joins Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ "Meltwater Turns Iceberg A-23A Blue - NASA Science". 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ^ "Exclusive: Colin O'Brady makes historic crossing of Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf". NBC News. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ Routen, Ash (2026-01-15). "Media, Adventurers Continue to Misrepresent Polar Expeditions » Explorersweb". Explorersweb. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ "Scientists study wildlife, landscape on second voyage to unique Heard Island and McDonald Islands – Australian Antarctic Program (News 2026)". www.antarctica.gov.au. 2026-01-09. Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ^ a b Cowing, Keith (2026-01-12). "Dale Andersen's Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 12 January 2026: Overland Traverse Imagery - And Hello ISS". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ^ Clark, Stephen (2026-01-09). "NASA orders "controlled medical evacuation" from the International Space Station". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ^ a b "NASA Completes Latest Scientific Balloon Campaign From Antarctica - NASA". 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ Cowing, Keith (2026-01-11). "Dale Andersen's Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 11 January 2026: Overland Traverse To Lake Untersee". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Malizia Explorer and Under The Pole join forces for Antarctic Expedition to advance science". www.sailworldcruising.com. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ Burchett, Caitlyn (2026-01-12). "Coast Guard Icebreaker Polar Star in McMurdo Sound in Antarctica". USNI News. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ^ "Science work and clean-up continues on Heard Island – Australian Antarctic Program (News 2026)". www.antarctica.gov.au. 2026-01-17. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ "Search underway for missing diver in Antarctica". ABC News. 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Ice from Swiss glacier is safely stored in Antarctica". blue News. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Antarctica ice sanctuary launched to preserve the cores of dying glaciers". Yahoo News. 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Schneehöhle als Klima-Archiv der Erde: Erste Eisbohrkerne in Antarktis-Lagerstätte". stern.de (in German). 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ Stocker, Thomas (2026-01-14). "La première bibliothèque de carottes glaciaires en Antarctique pour protéger la mémoire climatique de l'humanité". The Conversation. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "Antartide: nasce archivio mondiale ghiaccio con primi campioni da Alpi - Borsa Italiana". www.borsaitaliana.it. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "D73 - Escaping the Pole | News | Under Antarctica Expedition". Under Antarctica. Archived from the original on 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
- ^ "New map reveals landscape beneath Antarctica in unprecedented detail". www.bbc.com. 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
- ^ Dixit, Mrigakshi. "Map uncovers lakes and mountains buried under Antarctic ice sheet". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
- ^ Ockenden, Helen; Bingham, Robert G.; Goldberg, Daniel; Curtis, Andrew; Morlighem, Mathieu (2026-01-15). "Complex mesoscale landscapes beneath Antarctica mapped from space". Science. 391 (6782): 314–319. doi:10.1126/science.ady2532.
- ^ "Sailing Through a 'Death Trap' Once Covered by Antarctic Ice".
- ^ "Výzkum mikrobů a teploty až minus 30 stupňů. Čeští vědci z Brna míří už podvacáté na Antarktidu". iROZHLAS (in Czech). 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ "MENDELU Scientist Studies DNA of Extremophile Microorganisms in Antarctica". Brno Daily. 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
- ^ Viana, Caroll (2026-01-27). "Colombia's ARC Simon Bolivar Reaches Antarctica for Second Time". Colombia One: News from Colombia and the World. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ "United States Conducts Inspections in Antarctica". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ "Bulgarian Antarctic Base Welcomes Scientists, Medical Team from Spanish Juan Carlos I Base". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ Cowing, Keith (2026-01-18). "Dale Andersen's Astrobiology Antarctic Status Report: 18 January 2026: Lake Untersee Base Camp Is Operational". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ "USCG Polar Star Marks 50 Years by Freeing Cruise Ship Caught in Pack Ice". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
- ^ "Cruise Ship Trapped in Thick Ice Near Antarctica Rescued by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Vessel: WATCH". People.com. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
- ^ a b "Body of French diver missing in Antarctica found after lengthy search". ABC News. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
- ^ "D77 - When the Mountains Reappear | News | Under Antarctica Expedition". Under Antarctica. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ Zhong, Raymond (20 January 2026). "Skies Clear, and a New Outpost Springs Up at the Bottom of the World". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "D80 - 4,000 km in 80 days, we crossed Antarctica! | News | Under Antarctica Expedition". Under Antarctica. Archived from the original on 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ "Angelika Hanchuk to Lead Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition as First Female Chief". Ukraine news - #Mezha. 2026-01-21. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ^ "Unity Day: chain of unity at Vernadsky station". prm.ua. 2026-01-22. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ^ McPhee, Rebecca (2026-01-25). "Body of Missing Diver Found in Antarctica » Explorersweb". Explorersweb. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ "RSV Nuyina heads home from Heard Island – Australian Antarctic Program (News 2026)". www.antarctica.gov.au. 2026-01-25. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ Tril, Maria (2026-01-26). "Ukraine opens first polar biology lab to study antarctic samples from Vernadsky station". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
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- ^ "Argentina launches 2025/26 Summer Antarctic Campaign". MercoPress. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ "Deep Inside an Antarctic Glacier, a Mission Collapses at Its Final Step". The New York Times. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Scientists failed to drill the deepest hole into Antarctica's 'doomsday glacier': What went wrong at the final step". The Times of India. 2026-02-03. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ Staff, M. N. D. (2026-02-05). "Mexico teams up with Ukraine for its first Antarctic research campaign". Mexico News Daily. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "Fourth Group of Participants in Bulgaria's 34th Antarctic Expedition Arrives at Livingston Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Tenth Turkish Antarctic Expedition Visits Bulgarian Research Vessel and Antarctic Base on Livingston Island". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Bulgarian Antarctic Research Vessel Reaches Hannah Point in Antarctica". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
- ^ "Ukraine Celebrates 30 Years of Antarctic Station with Archival Videos". Ukraine news - #Mezha. 2026-01-18. Retrieved 2026-01-18.
- ^ "Zelensky honors 30 years since Ukraine raised flag in Antarctica". Novyny.LIVE. 2026-02-06. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
- ^ "Turkish scientists reach Antarctic base for 10th time". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
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