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Antarctica

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Our permafrost is thawing – and with it bacteria and viruses

Our permafrost is thawing – and with it bacteria and viruses

At the ends of the world, ground that has long been frozen is warming – and scientists are discovering that some ancient bacteria and viruses can spring to life. Could dangerous pathogens emerge?

  • by Liam Mannix

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Antarctica is missing sea ice and scientists don’t know why

Antarctica is missing sea ice and scientists don’t know why

CSIRO Fellow and Research Team Leader Dr Steve Rintoul said while there is some annual variation in ice coverage, this year’s records are the lowest in the 40 years since records started.

  • by Laura Chung
What it’s like to dine at the captain’s table on a ship

What it’s like to dine at the captain’s table on a ship

It’s often reserved for loyal customers and those in expensive suites. But I was really only interested in one thing: how dangerous is polar cruising. Really?

  • by Lee Tulloch
Rex lobs bid for Australia’s Antarctic operations after profit downgrade

Rex lobs bid for Australia’s Antarctic operations after profit downgrade

The Antarctic program will require one large intercontinental passenger jet, four intercontinental turboprop aircraft and four twin-engine helicopters.

  • by Amelia McGuire
The world’s southernmost town becomes expedition cruise hub

The world’s southernmost town becomes expedition cruise hub

A new departure hub designed to take pressure off Antarctic launch ports is behind one cruise line’s aim to help preserve this pristine environment.

  • by Catherine Marshall
‘Only one animal tried to avoid us’: The weird world of Antarctica

‘Only one animal tried to avoid us’: The weird world of Antarctica

The great white continent, the ‘other Galapagos’, a bit of awesome near Auckland: Antarctica and NZ hits from Good Weekend’s 2023 Dream Destinations issue.

  • by Amanda Hooton, Brook Turner and Katrina Strickland
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We thought we’d saved the whales. Were we wrong?

We thought we’d saved the whales. Were we wrong?

Antarctica is a place of solace and sustenance for southern-hemisphere whales, but for how much longer?

  • by Amanda Hooton
We’ve introduced ferals to the bottom of the world. They’re destroying it

We’ve introduced ferals to the bottom of the world. They’re destroying it

New research suggests humans have brought more than 1000 new species to the islands around Antarctica, including sheep, budgerigars, pigs and even monkeys. It’s not going well.

  • by Liam Mannix
Polar plunge: What it's like to take a dip in Antarctica's freezing waters

Polar plunge: What it's like to take a dip in Antarctica's freezing waters

Blue skies and placid waters notwithstanding, it's counterintuitive to swim in the inhumanely cold waters of Antarctica.

  • by Catherine Marshall
From the Archives, 1958: Fuchs crosses Antarctic continent

From the Archives, 1958: Fuchs crosses Antarctic continent

Dr Vivian Fuchs and his team completed a 99-day crossing of the Antarctic continent 65 years ago today.

  • by Staff reporter
Viking Polaris Antarctic cruise: The luxury cruise ship that doubles as a science vessel

Viking Polaris Antarctic cruise: The luxury cruise ship that doubles as a science vessel

I never enjoyed science classes at school, couldn't understand the point of Bunsen burners and looking at boring rocks under a microscope when there was a rich world of literature to explore.

  • by Kristie Kellahan