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Some of the team with the core that passed 200m credit Ana Tovey SWAIS2 C

SWAIS2C: Record-breaking sediment core provides unprecedented evidence of West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat
Date: 2026
Type: Press Release
Summary: A New Zealand co-led international team has drilled the longest-ever sediment core from under an ice sheet, providing a record stretching back millions of years that will help climate scientists forecast the fate of the ice sheet in our warming world. The 228m of ancient mud and rock was drilled from under 523m of ice. This game-changing scientific and technological achievement took place more than 700km from Scott Base, at a deep-field camp at Crary Ice Rise on the edge of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The sediment core holds an archive of past environmental conditions at the site from warmer periods in Earth’s history, vital information for climate scientists to determine how much and how fast the ice sheet will melt in the future under our warming climate.
Mount Herschel Antarctica Nov 2025 Photo by Jordy Hendrix

World's cryosphere scientists gather in Wellington
Science Minister boosts Antarctic tech
Date: 2026
Type: Update
Summary: Antarctic Science Platform researchers are among climate scientists gathering in Wellington this week to discuss how climate change-induced ice melt could accelerate sea-level rise, increase flooding and cause more intense storms in Aotearoa and across the globe. Science Minister Dr Shane Reti stopped in to share news about additional funding for Antarctic technology.
The Basler arrives on the skiway at KIS3 credit Joe Mc Dougal

SWAIS2C: Mission for ancient climate clues beneath 500m of Antarctic ice gets underway
Date: 2025
Summary: An international team including Antarctic Science Platform researchers has set up a remote camp on the ice 700km from Scott Base to attempt to drill for mud and rocks holding critical insights about the fate of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in our warming world. This fieldwork contributes to Project 1 - Antarctic ice dynamics' investigations into past and current drivers, mechanisms and feedbacks of ice sheet retreat in order to inform projections of future ice sheet behaviour and meltwater flux.
Screenshot 2025 10 28 160542

Antarctic methane discoveries skyrocket
Date: 2025
Authors: Earth Sciences New Zealand
Summary: Antarctic Science Platform supported research shows new methane seeps are being discovered at an astonishing rate in Antarctic waters.
Landscape C Lee

Case Study: Ecological data support terrestrial Antarctic conservation and management
Date: 2025
Type: Science
Summary: The Antarctic Science Platform supports New Zealand’s commitment to protect the unique environments and biodiversity of Antarctica.
Moss Catherine B

Case Study: New baseline distribution model—a tool to predict responses of foundational terrestrial organisms to climate change
Date: 2025
Type: Science
Summary: A new distribution model predicts where mosses may be found and are most vulnerable to changing conditions.
Cape Evans Berg Penguins Polynia

Case Study: Enhancing mātauranga Māori and Māori participation in Antarctic science
Date: 2025
Type: Case study
Summary: The Platform is committed to ensuring that New Zealand’s Antarctic and climate science reflects the values, knowledge and aspirations of Māori.
The glacier flow from the air Photo Anthony Powell

Case study: International drilling programme improves accuracy of projections for Antarctic ice loss and sea level rise
Date: 2025
Type: Science
Summary: An Antarctic Science Platform-led international scientific drilling project is providing data to reconstruct past climate conditions and ice sheet behaviour, which informs sea level rise projections and Antarctica’s future response to climate change.
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