The Compass: Antarctica

The southernmost realms of the planet are places of unimaginable beauty, where humpback whales breach and penguins gather by the thousands, where icebergs shimmer and sapphire-hued fjords harbor snowcapped peaks and virgin forests.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

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Your navigation into the weekend Antarctica

The southernmost realms of the planet are places of unimaginable beauty, where humpback whales breach and penguins gather by the thousands, where icebergs shimmer and sapphire-hued fjords harbor snowcapped peaks and virgin forests. Join us this week as we journey to Antarctica to discover how icebergs can be emerald green, learn about the women that are changing the landscape of Antarctic research, and head into the teeth of an Antarctic climbing expedition. Let’s explore Antarctica.

SCIENCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY RONAN DONOVAN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION Antarctica is the last continent without COVID-19. Scientists want to keep it that way. Studying Antarctica is critical to combating climate change, but most scientists can’t travel to the continent this upcoming season. READ MORE SHARE

STOCKTREK IMAGES, INC. / ALAMY Fossil 'sea monster' found in Antarctica was the heaviest of its kind The 15-ton elasmosaur adds to evidence that a vibrant marine ecosystem existed just before the dinosaur mass extinction. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUG MCVEIGH/AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC DIVISION Icebergs can be emerald green. Now we know why. The "jade bergs" found only in Antarctica have entranced people for decades. But figuring out how they got their hue took time and a bit of luck. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ESTHER HORVATH Want to grow plants in space? Go to the coldest place on Earth. Visit a research base in Antarctica where the aim is to make fresh produce a part of life on Mars. READ MORE SHARE

ENVIRONMENT

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL NICKLEN The big meltdown As the Antarctic Peninsula heats up, the rules of life there are being ripped apart. Alarmed scientists aren’t sure what all the change means for the future. READ MORE SHARE RELATED: THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA IS SETTING HEAT RECORDS. THEY WON'T STAND LONG. +

PHOTOGRAPH BY LINDA WELZENBACH, RICE UNIVERSITY These women are changing the landscape of Antarctic research Polar science used to be dominated by men. An expedition to Thwaites Glacier is helping change that. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY ACACIA JOHNSON, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Wildlife is thriving on this eerie polar volcano See 100 years' worth of expeditions to the mysterious Deception Island, teeming with life despite its bleak reputation. READ MORE

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PHOTOGRAPH BY STEFAN CHRISTMANN As ice melts, emperor penguins march toward extinction The flightless birds depend on Antarctica’s frozen sea ice shelves for safety and breeding. But as temperatures rise, the shelves are vanishing. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY LAURENT BALLESTA Deepest dive ever under Antarctica reveals a shockingly vibrant world Our special report offers a rare look at life beneath the frozen continent—where penguins, seals, and exotic creatures thrive. READ MORE SHARE

ADVENTURE

PHOTOGRAPH BY SAVANNAH CUMMINS, THE NORTH FACE Into the teeth of an Antarctic climbing expedition A team of American climbers battled sub-zero temps and loose rock in a push to reach Antarctica’s most extreme summits. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY GORDON WILTSIE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Inspiring the next generation of climbers This expedition is a new link in an important chain of exploration. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY TAMARA MERINO, THE NEW YORK TIMES, REDUX His tale of crossing Antarctica was riveting. But how much was fiction? Colin O’Brady says he crossed Antarctica alone and “unassisted.” Polar experts say he’s embellishing his accomplishments in pursuit of fame. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY GORDON WILTSIE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Explore Antarctica's rugged Queen Maud Land Journey to a part of the continent most visitors never see. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTO STORY Queen Maud Land, Antarctica SEE THE PHOTOS

WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT? Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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