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![[Translate to English:] Unkartierte Insel im Weddellmeer](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/2/csm_20260326_WeddellmeerInsel_ChristianHaas_001_b5c8c0ce6d.jpg "Island in the Weddell Sea not yet recorded on nautical charts")
Uncharted island soon to appear on nautical charts
A 93-strong international expedition team has been exploring the northwestern Weddell Sea in the Antarctic on board the Alfred Wegener Institute's icebreaker Polarstern since 8 February 2026. In this key region for global ocean currents, the focus has been on the outflow of ice and water from the Larsen Ice Shelf and the astonishing sea ice retreat of recent years. When the research work had to be interrupted due to rough weather conditions in order to seek shelter in the lee of Joinville Island, the scientists and ship's crew were surprised by the…
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Human greenhouse gas emissions drive compound hot-dry extremes and enforce climate risks for low-income countries
New study shows that the combination of heat and drought events will further increase and affect especially those countries that contribute less to climate change.
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![[Translate to English:] Antarktischer Zirkumpolarstrom in den Kinderschuhen](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/b/csm_AntarktischerZirkumpolarstrom_Hanna_Knahl_Patrick_Scholz_317fec092d.jpeg "Antarctic Circumpolar Current")
How did Earth’s most powerful ocean current form?
It transports far more than 100 times as much water as all of the Earth's rivers combined: The Antarctic Circumpolar Current rushes around the southern continent unhindered by land masses and is therefore a fundamental component of the climate system. In a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team led by the Alfred Wegener Institute describes how and when this mighty ring current developed in Earth's history. Surprising finding: it took more than the opening of the ocean passages between…
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Honorary Professorship in Biology
AWI scientist Stephan Ende has been appointed Honorary Professor by Bremen University of Applied Sciences. His tenure will begin in the summer semester of 2026 in the International Programme in Technical and Applied Biology (ISTAB). The honorary professorship recognises outstanding achievements in research and practice, as well as sustained commitment to academic teaching.
![[Translate to English:] Tests für die neue Polarstern](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/a/csm_20250903_PlanungNeuePolarstern_AnnikaKropp_058_f2bff108fd.jpg "Tests New Polarstern")
New Polarstern vessel: Model Masters the Testing Phase
Important milestones have been reached in the construction of the new Polarstern. A true-to-scale model of the future research icebreaker successfully completed tests in the ice channel. This marked the completion of the series of tests on the hull's seakeeping and icebreaking behaviour. In addition, the TKMS shipyard, commissioned by the Alfred Wegener Institute to build the vessel, has now ordered further vital components, such as the hydroacoustic systems and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for the research icebreaker. Moreover,…
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Annette Barthelt Prize for Ayla Murray
Dr Ayla Murray was awarded the Annette Barthelt Foundation Science Prize at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel on Friday for her doctoral thesis completed at the Alfred Wegener Institute. The foundation honours the memory of four scientists from Kiel who died in a terrorist attack in Djibouti in 1987. Dr Jenny Neuhaus and Benedikt Haimerl (both from the University of Hamburg) were also honoured. Further information can be found here.
AWI welcomes its new director
Glaciologist Hajo Eicken has officially taken over as Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute. He returns to Bremerhaven after almost 30 years in Alaska.
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Visit of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Exchange at the AWI: The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) visited the AWI’s main campus in Bremerhaven. AWI Interim Director Maarten Boersma welcomed the delegation. This was followed by presentations from the AWI faculty and a tour of the institute. The ITLOS is an independent organisation within the UN system, operating on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982.
Hole in the sea ice thickened the Antarctic ice sheet in the past
Polynyas are like a window through which the ocean and the atmosphere can interact. A look into the past shows that today's changes in the Antarctic could prevent these from forming.
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![[Translate to English:] Südlicher Seeelefant (Mirounga leonina)](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/f/csm_2010_BulleMitSender_JPloetz_3c181c2daf.jpg "Southern elephant seal")
Ocean warming drives melting of Antarctic sea ice
Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in the ecosystem and physical environment of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Since the ice reflects the sun's rays and blocks heat exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere, it is critical to our weather and climate. Therefore, we need to understand what affects its extent to improve future climate models and prediction. A new study led by the University of Gothenburg and involving the Alfred Wegener Institute contibuting to this research field has been published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
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