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Work on the Bluehouse Helgoland is progressing
Following the demolition of the old aquarium and extensive preparatory work, an important first milestone has now been reached for the new Bluehouse as a place where science and public can come together, featuring a unique interactive permanent exhibition on marine research. The pouring of the concrete foundation slab for the building began on 16 June. Located at a depth of almost nine metres, it forms the base of the building's second basement level, which is being constructed next to the AWI on Helgoland. In the future, the AWI's OPENSEA school…
AWI Team at the Bremerhaven Dragon Boat Race
Thanks to a fantastic team effort, an AWI team, the Arctic Dragons, successfully competed in this year’s dragon boat race in Bremerhaven, exceeding their own expectations. In the “FUN Gold” category, the team achieved an outstanding 4th place out of a total of 16 teams in the 250-meter sprint event. In addition to their athletic success, the focus was above all on team spirit, a great atmosphere, and plenty of fun on the water.
10 Years of the Palau Observatory: Why polar researchers are working on a small Pacific island
In 2016, the Alfred Wegener Institute, together with the University of Bremen, the Palau Community College, and the Coral Reef Research Foundation, opened a research station at what is probably its warmest location: Palau. The archipelago lies in the heart of an area that is characterised by the cleanest air in the world. Moreover, this region is where the composition of the stratosphere - the layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer - is determined for the whole planet. This makes the location ideal for studying the distribution of trace…
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Marine biology course on Helgoland
From 5 to 12 June, a marine biology course was held at the Biological Station Helgoland, welcoming students, teachers, media professionals and other interested participants. Throughout the course, attendees gained insights into current topics in marine biology. The programme included lectures, practical sessions, as well as botanical and zoological field excursions. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the research conducted by the various working groups at the marine station and to exchange ideas with scientists on site.
200 years of Heligoland as a seaside resort
To mark the 200th anniversary of Heligoland’s history as a seaside resort, more than 3000 visitors were welcomed to the island on 6 June with a celebratory programme. As part of the festivities, alongside musical entertainment and a wide range of hands-on activities, a historical parade featuring Heligoland’s traditional associations took place at 5:30 pm. The AWI site on Heligoland also participated in the event with an information stand, where visitors of all ages had the opportunity to find out about the institute’s research and work on site.
![[Translate to English:] Eisberg](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/7/csm_20220806_Eisberg_ChristianRRohleder_001_256f00a973.jpg "Iceberg")
Nature study: More icebergs in the Arctic
The number of icebergs in the Arctic has increased sharply since the 2000s. This is due to the destabilisation of large glaciers in north-east Greenland and parts of the Russian Arctic as well as the increasing mobility of sea ice. The result: Stones rain down from the melting icebergs, forming new hard-substrate habitats for marine life on the soft seafloor. This gradually alters the existing communities in the deep sea. At the same time, the increasing presence of icebergs also poses greater risks to shipping and fisheries. These findings were reported…
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Visit to the AWI facility on Helgoland
Seven researchers from the University of Tokyo and TU Dortmund University visited the AWI research station on Helgoland. Maarten Boersma, director of the Helgoland Biological Station, welcomed the guests and invited them to take part in a professional exchange programme. The programme for the three-day visit included field trips and discussion sessions, one of which was with Antje Wichels from the OPENSEA student laboratory. The joint project focuses on developing an innovative concept for climate education, particularly the “climate museum” concept.
50 Years of the Georg Forster Station
On April 21, 1976, what would later become the Georg Forster Station of the former GDR was inaugurated at the Schirmacher Oasis in Antarctica. It was the first German research station in Antarctica to operate year-round and marks a milestone in the history of East German and, later, unified German polar research. On June 3, 2026, former overwinterers and other guests celebrated the station’s 50th anniversary in Potsdam. They shared their experiences of building the station, overwintering there, and conducting research in the freezing cold at the end of…
Arctic river deltas at risk from mounting pressures
For the first time, AWI researchers have performed a detailed calculation of the amount of carbon stored in permafrost in Arctic river deltas. In a new study in the journal Nature Communications, they point out the risks endangering the storage function of these highly sensitive landscapes due to rapid climate change.
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Antje Boetius receives the Pour le Mérite and the Grand Cross of Merit with Star
Prof. Dr Antje Boetius, former Director of the AWI and a deep-sea and polar researcher, has been honoured with two of Germany’s most prestigious distinctions: the Order of Pour le Mérite for Science and Arts and the Grand Cross of Merit with Star. The awards recognise her outstanding achievements in polar and marine research.
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