December Update

A hydroclimate team has visited Taylor Valley in the McMurdo Dry Valleys to retrieve soil sensors that had been taking measurements through the winter, in temperatures down to -40°C. The new records will be used to improve temperature datasets based on satellite data, and to evaluate regional and local-scale climate models. The team also revisited and maintained a weather station on the Commonwealth Glacier, downloading a full year's worth of weather observations, as part of ongoing research efforts to understand factors driving the melt of the Valley glaciers. The 'ground' team has now handed over fieldwork to an 'aerial' team, which is mapping the Commonwealth Glacier. Understanding climate-driven change to Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems is important to monitor, as physical changes to the environment have the potential to modify biological responses and the habitats of numerous species.

Photographer Anthony Powell captured these close-ups at the emperor penguin colony at Cape Crozier this season. About 54 emperor colonies are distributed evenly around the coast of Antarctica, some only recently discovered through satellite-based observations. This species’ long-term survival depends on sea ice. What will happen to the emperors in a warming world? The Antarctic Science Platform looks at consequences of rising emissions, and what can be done to save the penguins.

For more news from Antarctica New Zealand and Scott Base, click here