role in Arctic Ocean geophysical research for many years and in various projects. Projects Formation of new seafloor at the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (Photo: [...] Formation of the Arctic Basin The Arctic Ocean is of particular geological interest. It hosts a wealth of different geological provinces ranging from deep ocean basins over prominent ridges to vast shallow [...] perennial sea ice-cover, information on the geological history of the Arctic Ocean is still sparse. As the sea-ice recedes, the Arctic Ocean will see an explosion of research activities. With RV Polarstern

layers of the ground, oceanic microseisms can spread over many hundreds of kilometres. It is now well researched how strong storms not only generate large waves, but also increased oceanic microseisms activity [...] other way round: what does oceanic microseisms tell us about the nature of the ice over the course of the seasons? To answer these questions, we use data from our ice-going ocean-bottom seismometers (OBS) [...] microseismics were also recorded, which we are currently analysing. Map of the Arctic and Antarctic. The red stars mark the oceanic microseisms research projects. (Graphic: Alfred-Wegener-Institut) Contact

diversity of the entire plankton community of the Fram Strait (Arctic) is assessed. This data is then applied to forecast future scenarios of Arctic planktonic biodiversity. Recommendations to policy and indicator [...] labs located along the German Baltic Sea. The overall objective is to develop a smart and flexible ocean observation strategy tailored to the specific observation needs of individual stakeholder groups.

Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) , the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO) ,the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) , and the Southwest Indian Ocean Bathymetric [...] world’s oceans by 2030, and hosts the Seabed 2030 Southern Ocean Regional Center (SORC) . SORC’s and IBCSO’ s responsibility is to produce the best possible authoritative map of the Southern Ocean, the South [...] Global and regional bathymetric models IBSCO (International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean) (Graphic: Alfred-Wegener-Institut / IBSCO v2, Dorschel et al., 2022) IBSCO v2 Datenabdeckung (Graphic:

O values in ice and water samples from the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as the δ 13 C values of dissolved inorganic carbon in the water of the polar oceans. In addition, our laboratories offer the possibility [...] input) and changes in the supply of nutrient silicon and its use in polar and subpolar ocean regions (e.g. Southern Ocean, North Pacific) can be reconstructed on geological time scales. For the measurements [...] Clumped isotopes δ 13 C + δ 18 O (biog. carbonate, foraminifers) Option: clumped isotopes Changes in ocean circulation, nutrient content and deep water ventilation (δ 13 C) Hydrographic changes (δ 18 O, Δ47)

The winter growth period for sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is now over, with levels at a record low. The winter ice extent on 21 March 2025 was lower than at any time since continuous satellite recording [...] cover is over a million square kilometres below the long-term average. As in February 2025, average Arctic sea ice cover remained at an all-time low for the entire month of March, equalling the previous low

Siberian river systems into the central Arctic and the North Atlantic. This material affects Arctic biogeochemistry and ecosystems, while the fresh water itself alters ocean circulation. The Alfred Wegener Institute [...] suspended matter from the Siberian shelves across the central Arctic towards the Fram Strait channel, which connects to the Nordic Seas. This cross-Arctic flow influences the delivery of both natural substances [...] known as the Transpolar Draft, operates. It also uncovers the various factors controlling this major Arctic surface current, including warmer temperatures which could increase the spread of human-made pollutants

unique and fragile ecosystems Observe Arctic fish stocks and the impact of the arrival of more temperate species Life in a frozen ocean: analogues to other ocean planets and bioprospecting with new potential [...] drift expeditions between 2025 and 2045. During these 20 years, 10 year-long drift studies in the Arctic Ocean are planned. The work is based on the collaboration of an international and interdisciplinary [...] Station was baptized in Lorient, France, in April 2025 and will realize the first drift in the Arctic Ocean starting in summer 2026. Before this, different test campaigns are planned, including a shorter

On 29 May 2025, the Polarstern research vessel set sail from Bremerhaven for the Arctic. The destination of the 95 expedition participants, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute, is the AWI Hausgarten, a [...] y situated between Svalbard and Greenland. There they will investigate how the ecosystems of the Arctic deep sea are reacting to changing environmental conditions as a result of rapid climate change. The [...] June, will focus on benthic and plankton communities in the open water and physical changes in the ocean.

is to characterize the key processes that determine the observed sea ice, ocean, and ecosystem changes in the Central Arctic Ocean during meltseason. The process studies and continuous observations of CONTRASTS [...] (Graphic: Alfred-Wegener-Institut) Regime 1: Future Arctic (Photo: Marcel Nicolaus) Regime 2: Present Arctic (Photo: Marcel Nicolaus) Regime 3: Past Arctic (Photo: Marcel Nicolaus) Objectives The overall objective [...] is to characterize the key processes that determine the observed sea ice, ocean, and ecosystem changes in the Central Arctic Ocean during melt season. We will investigate the causes and consequences of