Antarctic Science Foundation
@asfofficial.bsky.social
Non-profit organisation
Antarctica offers the answers. Let's ask the questions together.
Committed to scientific research and conservation🐧❄️
https://antarcticsciencefoundation.org/
Antarctica offers the answers. Let's ask the questions together.
Committed to scientific research and conservation🐧❄️
https://antarcticsciencefoundation.org/
As the year comes to a close we’d like to thank our incredible supporters, researchers, and partners for helping to advance crucial Antarctic science.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead!🐧❄️🎁
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead!🐧❄️🎁
December 24, 2025 at 3:46 AM
As the year comes to a close we’d like to thank our incredible supporters, researchers, and partners for helping to advance crucial Antarctic science.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead!🐧❄️🎁
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead!🐧❄️🎁
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
The first flight to our deep-field scientific drilling site at Crary Ice Rise has departed Ross Island. The approximately 700km journey over the Ross Ice Shelf took around 2 hrs on a Basler. On board were our hot water drillers, most of our AIDD team, and camp staff 👉https://bit.ly/3KxwJgC
December 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The first flight to our deep-field scientific drilling site at Crary Ice Rise has departed Ross Island. The approximately 700km journey over the Ross Ice Shelf took around 2 hrs on a Basler. On board were our hot water drillers, most of our AIDD team, and camp staff 👉https://bit.ly/3KxwJgC
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
11/ Their computer modelling projects other changes in AABW such as meltwater, salinity and temperature by 2050 – “essentially an intensification of the patterns of change observed since the 1990s”, the review says.
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
11/ Their computer modelling projects other changes in AABW such as meltwater, salinity and temperature by 2050 – “essentially an intensification of the patterns of change observed since the 1990s”, the review says.
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
10/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Melting ice shelves make the waters fresher and more buoyant. Another study by some of the same authors simulated the future response of the ocean to meltwater input, projecting a slowdown of the Antarctic overturning by 40% by 2050.
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/antarctic-de...
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/antarctic-de...
Antarctic deep ocean currents have slowed in the past three decades - AAPP
Researchers have found that the deep ocean circulation around parts of Antarctica has slowed by 30 per cent since the 1990s, reducing oxygen levels across the world’s deep seas.
aappartnership.org.au
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
10/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Melting ice shelves make the waters fresher and more buoyant. Another study by some of the same authors simulated the future response of the ocean to meltwater input, projecting a slowdown of the Antarctic overturning by 40% by 2050.
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/antarctic-de...
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/antarctic-de...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
9/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: since the mid-80s, at rates greater than 50 metres per decade in the deep Antarctic basins, with more rapid thinning observed closer to the sources of AABW. Contraction of AABW may lead to increased exposure of Antarctic ice shelves to warm water and further melt.
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
9/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: since the mid-80s, at rates greater than 50 metres per decade in the deep Antarctic basins, with more rapid thinning observed closer to the sources of AABW. Contraction of AABW may lead to increased exposure of Antarctic ice shelves to warm water and further melt.
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
7/ So any change in AABW properties has consequences for the strength of the deep overturning circulation – and climatic patterns. We know that rapid change is already underway in the abyssal ocean.
Sea ice edge 📸 Todor Iolovski/AAD
Sea ice edge 📸 Todor Iolovski/AAD
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
7/ So any change in AABW properties has consequences for the strength of the deep overturning circulation – and climatic patterns. We know that rapid change is already underway in the abyssal ocean.
Sea ice edge 📸 Todor Iolovski/AAD
Sea ice edge 📸 Todor Iolovski/AAD
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
8/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. Since the mid-80s, ocean heat content below 4,000m has increased at a rate of about 13 trillion watts – about equal to the global energy consumption rate by humans each year.
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
8/ 𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗪 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴. Since the mid-80s, ocean heat content below 4,000m has increased at a rate of about 13 trillion watts – about equal to the global energy consumption rate by humans each year.
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
6/ From these regions, AABW moves into the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, driving many of the world's significant currents. This shows the fraction of water on the seafloor that is composed of AABW (dark blue is more than 90%, depths shallower than 3,500m not shown).
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
6/ From these regions, AABW moves into the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, driving many of the world's significant currents. This shows the fraction of water on the seafloor that is composed of AABW (dark blue is more than 90%, depths shallower than 3,500m not shown).
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
5/ AABW only forms in four locations: Weddell Sea, Cape Darnley, Ross Sea and Adelie Land. ‘Sv’ is a Sverdrup, a measure of current flow rate (1 Sv = 1 million cubic metres per second). Any changes in these regions (like sea ice) may impact the 3-D structure of the global overturning circulation.
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
5/ AABW only forms in four locations: Weddell Sea, Cape Darnley, Ross Sea and Adelie Land. ‘Sv’ is a Sverdrup, a measure of current flow rate (1 Sv = 1 million cubic metres per second). Any changes in these regions (like sea ice) may impact the 3-D structure of the global overturning circulation.
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
4/ To form AABW, cascades of dense water spill from the continental shelf and sink to the deep ocean: seawater freezes to form sea ice ➡️ rejects brine ➡️ dense cold salty oxygen-rich water sinks ➡️ pumps oxygen into the deep sea ➡️ ‘ventilates’ abyss
Watch ▶️ vimeo.com/830053753
Watch ▶️ vimeo.com/830053753
overflow_movie_short
Overflow of Dense Shelf Water flowing into the abyssal ocean in the Ross Sea (Credit: COSIMA community www.cosima.org.au and NCI)
vimeo.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
4/ To form AABW, cascades of dense water spill from the continental shelf and sink to the deep ocean: seawater freezes to form sea ice ➡️ rejects brine ➡️ dense cold salty oxygen-rich water sinks ➡️ pumps oxygen into the deep sea ➡️ ‘ventilates’ abyss
Watch ▶️ vimeo.com/830053753
Watch ▶️ vimeo.com/830053753
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
3/ How will this lifeline change on a warming planet? A new review in @natrevearthenviron.nature.com led by Steve Rintoul at CSIRO/AAPP examines the importance of AABW to ocean carbon and heat storage and oxygen supply to the deep sea – and the impacts of global heating.
Review ▶️ rdcu.be/eTWCD
Review ▶️ rdcu.be/eTWCD
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
3/ How will this lifeline change on a warming planet? A new review in @natrevearthenviron.nature.com led by Steve Rintoul at CSIRO/AAPP examines the importance of AABW to ocean carbon and heat storage and oxygen supply to the deep sea – and the impacts of global heating.
Review ▶️ rdcu.be/eTWCD
Review ▶️ rdcu.be/eTWCD
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
2/ Driving the pump is Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), cold dense water that sinks from the continental shelf to the deep (dark purple) and fills 36% of the global ocean volume. The sinking of AABW is balanced by a return flow of lighter warmer water (yellow).
Pic: @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
Pic: @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
2/ Driving the pump is Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), cold dense water that sinks from the continental shelf to the deep (dark purple) and fills 36% of the global ocean volume. The sinking of AABW is balanced by a return flow of lighter warmer water (yellow).
Pic: @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
Pic: @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
1/ The overturning circulation is a network of ocean currents transporting heat, carbon, oxygen and nutrients around the world. At the heart of this circulatory system is the global pumphouse of #Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Animation: NASA-SVS
Animation: NASA-SVS
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
1/ The overturning circulation is a network of ocean currents transporting heat, carbon, oxygen and nutrients around the world. At the heart of this circulatory system is the global pumphouse of #Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
Animation: NASA-SVS
Animation: NASA-SVS
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
Announcing “Antarctica as a Model for Global Peace”.
Chapter by Bruno Arpi & I: “The resilience of the Antarctic Treaty System in the face of a changing global order“.
Great working with Agenda Antártica and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on this chapter.
www.kas.de/documents/d/...
Chapter by Bruno Arpi & I: “The resilience of the Antarctic Treaty System in the face of a changing global order“.
Great working with Agenda Antártica and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on this chapter.
www.kas.de/documents/d/...
www.kas.de
December 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Announcing “Antarctica as a Model for Global Peace”.
Chapter by Bruno Arpi & I: “The resilience of the Antarctic Treaty System in the face of a changing global order“.
Great working with Agenda Antártica and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on this chapter.
www.kas.de/documents/d/...
Chapter by Bruno Arpi & I: “The resilience of the Antarctic Treaty System in the face of a changing global order“.
Great working with Agenda Antártica and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on this chapter.
www.kas.de/documents/d/...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
💦 "In effect, the Southern Ocean may be “sweating” more in response to climate change." — @aunz.theconversation.com
▶️ theconversation.com/storms-in-th...
▶️ theconversation.com/storms-in-th...
Storms in the Southern Ocean are producing more rain – and the consequences could be global
The Southern Ocean is the engine room of global heat and carbon uptake – and it’s changing faster and more dramatically than we thought.
theconversation.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:54 AM
💦 "In effect, the Southern Ocean may be “sweating” more in response to climate change." — @aunz.theconversation.com
▶️ theconversation.com/storms-in-th...
▶️ theconversation.com/storms-in-th...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
Here's something those travelling to Antarctica hope they won't need. If your flight 'boomerangs' and has to turn back around, you'll be reunited with your checked-in boomerang bag.We're sharing Antarctic terms and phrases so that you too can #TalklikeanAntarctican!
December 5, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Here's something those travelling to Antarctica hope they won't need. If your flight 'boomerangs' and has to turn back around, you'll be reunited with your checked-in boomerang bag.We're sharing Antarctic terms and phrases so that you too can #TalklikeanAntarctican!
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
Adrift like Shackleton: Robot float survives #Antarctic ice. The Argo float disappeared under the ice and survived to send back the first-ever ocean transect beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf.
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
Adrift like Shackleton: Robot float survives Antarctic ice
The Argo float disappeared under the ice and survived to send back the first-ever ocean transect beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf.
www.csiro.au
December 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Adrift like Shackleton: Robot float survives #Antarctic ice. The Argo float disappeared under the ice and survived to send back the first-ever ocean transect beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf.
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
www.csiro.au/en/news/All/...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
7/ Hats off to authors Steve Rintoul, Esmee van Wijk, Laura Herraiz-Borreguero and Madelaine Rosevear from CSIRO, AAPP, @utas.edu.au and @imas-utas.bsky.social – with support from @imos-aus.bsky.social – and the intrepid #Argo floats.
@euro-argo.eu
@soccomproject.bsky.social
@soosocean.bsky.social
@euro-argo.eu
@soccomproject.bsky.social
@soosocean.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
7/ Hats off to authors Steve Rintoul, Esmee van Wijk, Laura Herraiz-Borreguero and Madelaine Rosevear from CSIRO, AAPP, @utas.edu.au and @imas-utas.bsky.social – with support from @imos-aus.bsky.social – and the intrepid #Argo floats.
@euro-argo.eu
@soccomproject.bsky.social
@soosocean.bsky.social
@euro-argo.eu
@soccomproject.bsky.social
@soosocean.bsky.social
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
6/ This work reveals the Shackleton ice shelf is, for now, not exposed to warm water capable of melting it from below. However the Denman Glacier is and therefore more vulnerable. Its ice volume holds a potential 1.5-metre contribution to global sea level rise.
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
6/ This work reveals the Shackleton ice shelf is, for now, not exposed to warm water capable of melting it from below. However the Denman Glacier is and therefore more vulnerable. Its ice volume holds a potential 1.5-metre contribution to global sea level rise.
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
5/ That’s where floats can help, bumping their heads on the underside of ice shelves, measuring melt where it happens. Deploying an array of floats around Antarctica's continental shelf would reduce the large uncertainties in estimating future sea level rise.
▶️ theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
▶️ theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
5/ That’s where floats can help, bumping their heads on the underside of ice shelves, measuring melt where it happens. Deploying an array of floats around Antarctica's continental shelf would reduce the large uncertainties in estimating future sea level rise.
▶️ theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
▶️ theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
4/ But measuring inside ice shelf cavities is very difficult to do. Ice shelves can be hundreds of metres thick. While you can drill a hole through and lower your sensors, this is expensive and rarely done, so very few observations have been made.
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/how-to-drill...
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/how-to-drill...
How to drill an ice shelf — and why
A mission to reach the ocean under the Shackleton Ice Shelf in East Antarctica
aapp.shorthandstories.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
4/ But measuring inside ice shelf cavities is very difficult to do. Ice shelves can be hundreds of metres thick. While you can drill a hole through and lower your sensors, this is expensive and rarely done, so very few observations have been made.
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/how-to-drill...
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/how-to-drill...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
3/ Ice shelves resist the flow of continental ice to the sea. If warm ocean waters weaken the ice shelves, more ice will reach the ocean and melt, causing sea level to rise. Ocean measurements are critical to determine how much and how fast.
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/opening-the-...
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/opening-the-...
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
3/ Ice shelves resist the flow of continental ice to the sea. If warm ocean waters weaken the ice shelves, more ice will reach the ocean and melt, causing sea level to rise. Ocean measurements are critical to determine how much and how fast.
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/opening-the-...
▶️ aapp.shorthandstories.com/opening-the-...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
2/ After eight months hidden away, profiling the ocean from the seafloor to the base of the ice every five days, the Argo float survived to deliver the first-ever oceanographic transect from beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf.
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/adrift-like-...
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/adrift-like-...
Adrift like Shackleton: Robot float survives Antarctic ice - AAPP
An amazing story of the little float that could – and what it means for global sea level rise
aappartnership.org.au
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
2/ After eight months hidden away, profiling the ocean from the seafloor to the base of the ice every five days, the Argo float survived to deliver the first-ever oceanographic transect from beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf.
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/adrift-like-...
▶️ aappartnership.org.au/adrift-like-...
Reposted by Antarctic Science Foundation
🌊 1/ A robotic float has measured temperature and salinity from parts of the Southern Ocean never sampled before — underneath massive floating Denman and Shackleton ice shelves in East #Antarctica.
New in @science.org #ScienceAdvances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
New in @science.org #ScienceAdvances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
December 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
🌊 1/ A robotic float has measured temperature and salinity from parts of the Southern Ocean never sampled before — underneath massive floating Denman and Shackleton ice shelves in East #Antarctica.
New in @science.org #ScienceAdvances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
New in @science.org #ScienceAdvances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...