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

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)

station. Antarctic To be filled! Text is missing Arctic Ocean (Central Arctic) FS Polarstern MOSAiC (Photo: M. Gutsche) The polar oceans in the Arctic and around Antarctica, characterized by their seasonal [...] expedition The Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) was a major year-long campaign in the Central Arctic Sea ice, using the research icebreaker Polarstern . MOSAiC was [...] 400 scientists and experts from 20 nations, who studied a full annual cycle of the Arctic Atmosphere, Sea ice, Ocean, Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem. Further information and scientific publications can

reflect in detail processes in the ocean, which have a major influence on the climate. In response, the AWI has developed a special ocean model (FESOM), which simulates e.g. ocean currents and sea ice. For their [...] All around the world, there are natural climate archives – the sediments on the ocean floor, ancient ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, wood for tree-ring analyses, and more. These archives contain what [...] computer programmes used to simulate reality: the motion of air masses, radiation from the sun, and ocean currents – they’re all climate-relevant processes that, with the aid of mathematical formulas, can

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:

IODP/ICDP drill proposals. Formation of the Arctic Basin Polarstern for geophysics in the Arctic Ocean Research projects on the formation of the Arctic Ocean Development of the North Atlantic Deepwater [...] modification of oceanic crust, and modification of regional palaeo-circulation. Palaeo-topography and dynamic modifications of the seafloor strongly affect the pathways of the oceanic circulation and the [...] and its precursors? Follow this link Gateways of the Southern Ocean What was the effect of the opening of the gateways of the Southern Ocean? Lakes as climate archives Old lake-level terraces at the current

provide information on past ice sheet dynamics. Ice sheet scours on the Lomonossov Ridge in the Arctic Ocean Madiba Sea Mount, south of South Africa, discovered 2013 with RV Polarstern Current-induced seabed

Research focuses on areas in the Arctic and sub-Arctic, the Arctic Ocean, the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. The studies include reconstructions of ice sheet dynamics, oceanic circulation and tectonic processes

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.

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