Antarctica

Climate warming leads to accelerated melting of ice around the south pole

The number of Antarctic penguins in western Antarctica has decreased by 77% since their last census. It was in the 70's of the 20th century. According to scientists studying climate change, the population of penguins is declining dramatically.

A research base in the Antarctic has recorded the hottest temperature ever for the continent amid rising concern about global warming that has caused an increase in the melting of ice sheets around the south pole.

The Argentinean base of Esperanza, Antarctica, recorded the hottest day since temperature statistics began, the National Weather Service said.

Yesterday, at the Esperanza Research Station, temperatures rose to 18.3 degrees Celsius at noon.

The previous record was 17.5 degrees, measured on March 24, 2015.

A Turkish research team is set to depart for 4th National Antarctic Science Expedition from Istanbul on Feb. 9, the industry and technology minister said on Jan. 29.

"Scientists who will carry out 15 projects in various fields such as earth and marine sciences, biology, chemistry, aerospace, and social sciences, are joining the journey," Mustafa Varank said.

Brazil showed its new base in Antarctica. The $ 100 million project replaces the previous compound was destroyed after an explosion and deadly fire almost 8 years ago.

The modern facility covers an area of 4,500 square meters and has 17 laboratories, a helicopter site, as well as living space.

Several species of grasses, ticks, mussels, amd crabs will settle in the northernmost regions of Antarctica in the coming years. This is predicted by scientists cited by the British Antarctic Institute and the BTA.

Too harsh conditions will not yet allow the ice continent to be colonized by rodents, but they will be able to co-exist near polar research stations.

2019 marks the 30-year presence of the Bulgarian science in the exploration of the Ice continent. Together with world powers Bulgaria reaffirmed itself as one of the leading researchers in the exploration of Antarctica.

The next expedition to Antarctica is coming soon, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev said in the studio of the BNT morning block. The first group left on November 13th. Logistics were originally departing because our base was closed in the long Antarctic winter.

Italian authorities have closed two lanes and evacuated several mountain huts after experts warned that one of the glaciers of massive Mont Blanc could collapse. Experts watching the glacier estimate that since the end of August it has been sliding down at a speed of 50-60 cm per day. Authorities acknowledge that it is impossible to predict when the huge mass may collapse. 

The ozone hole over Antarctica is the smallest in almost 30 years. According to the U.S. Atmospheric Administration, this year its size is twice smaller than usual. In addition, it is located far from the pole, unlike before.

Observations of the gas's depletion high in the atmosphere demonstrate that it hasn't opened up in 2019 in the way it normally does, BBC reported.