Antarctica
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Find out everything there is to know about Antarctica and stay updated on the latest Antarctica news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and Antarctica pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about this fascinating continent as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about Antarctica.
Latest about Antarctica
![Antarctica, Petermann Island, Icicles hang from melting iceberg near Lemaire Channel.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/inrLHMp9FcYtvaXr9tub9b-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet is 'unavoidable,' study finds
By Sascha Pare published
British Antarctic Survey researchers have found that the rate at which ice is melting and contributing to sea level rise will accelerate in the next century, regardless of actions to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
![A crack in an ice sheet.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UinCd3qKRdNRGoaTxk6eZk-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
'Ghost' of ancient river-carved landscape discovered beneath Antarctica
By Sascha Pare published
Satellite data have revealed an ancient landscape that may have escaped erosion and been preserved beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet since the continent froze over 34 million years ago.
![Video footage of an iceberg colliding with an island](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-320-80.gif 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-450-80.gif 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-500-80.gif 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-650-80.gif 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-840-80.gif 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-970-80.gif 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-1024-80.gif 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f3TNpnUzeuyquk9hzF6RPB-1200-80.gif 1200w)
45-mile-long iceberg slams into penguin refuge in Antarctica, almost causing ecological disaster
By Harry Baker published
Hefty iceberg D-30A has collided with Clarence Island — an important refuge for breeding penguins in Antarctica. But luckily, the penguins weren't at home when the berg struck.
![A scientist holds a watermelon in Antarctica.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/goBpg9ePgxHgNz5vKUPPV4-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Russian scientists have grown watermelons in the coldest place on Earth
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Scientists in Antarctica did the unimaginable: They grew a bounty of watermelons while living on the ice-cold continent.
![A penguin stands on melting sea ice in Antarctica.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kxmXoAm3oxqZsnwUu3MjzT-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Antarctic sea ice reached 'record-smashing low' last month
By Sascha Pare published
The extent of sea ice in Antarctica has shrunk compared with the long-term average for this time of year between 1981 and 2010 by an area four times the size of Texas.
![An aerial image of six tightly grouped iceberg fragments floating on the sea and partially obscured by cloud](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Zx6ARpr3M3iK7PRv3UvNL-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
World's largest iceberg is no more after being ripped apart in 'iceberg graveyard'
By Harry Baker published
Satellite images show fragments from the enormous iceberg A-76A dispersing near South Georgia island, where the previous world's largest iceberg also met its doom in 2020.
![An aerial picture of pack ice melting into the ocean in spring time in Antarctica.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hpEHoSRXPVg2ASRwNYuwLQ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Antarctic currents supplying 40% of world's deep ocean with nutrients and oxygen slowing dramatically
By Sascha Pare published
These deep ocean tides supply almost half of the world's oceans with vital nutrients and oxygen, but melting ice shelves are slowing them down.
![An artist's illustration of a tsunami wave poised to crash down upon a beach.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BdECftMRJB9LTuGMvbFvdW-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Climate change could trigger gigantic deadly tsunamis from Antarctica, new study warns
By Ben Turner published
Slippages in sediment beneath the Antarctic seabed could spawn gigantic tsunamis as oceans warm.
![The Ross Ice Shelf, an expanse of ice, with a blue sky and clouds above](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VugRZwVYpaNpBBMgGKqPoH-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Where is the coldest place on Earth?
By JoAnna Wendel published
There are some bone-chilling places on Earth, but what is the lowest temperature ever recorded and where was it?
![A satellite view of the iceberg.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bmry7XTwyzWBHFAhRQwUEL-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Colossal iceberg trapped near Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier' for 20 years is finally on the move
By Harry Baker published
Iceberg B-22A, which first broke off from Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier in 2002, is finally moving away from the South Pole after being freed from its seafloor tether.
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