Sea Ice Research
Approximately 25,000 years ago, during the coldest apart of the last glacial period, the ice in region of the Weddell Sea may have been up to 100m thicker and extended 400km North. Sea ice research aims to investigate ice sheets to uncover how the climate in the region has changed over time.
The study of sea-ice processes is a key aspect to understanding climate change in Antarctica. Our team of experts will use advanced technology, such as aerial drones, and techniques to study the thickness off the ice in the Weddell Sea. Understanding how ice sheets have responded to climate change in the past will help us know how to respond to rapidly changing temperatures in the future.
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Glaciology
View MoreThe ice shelves that fringe the Weddell Sea, which include the Larsen C and Flincher-Ronne ice shelves, are the floating portions of glaciers that transfer ice from large ice-sheet interior drainage basins to the marine environment.
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Geology & Geophysics
View MoreAn understanding of the stability or otherwise of the floating ice shelves surrounding the Weddell Sea over the last few thousand years is needed to place recently observed changes within a long-term context.
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Marine Biology
View MoreThe Weddell Sea extends over an area of approximately 2.8 million square kilometres and is one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the world.
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Sea Ice Research
View MoreApproximately 25,000 years ago, during the coldest apart of the last glacial period, the ice in region of the Weddell Sea may have been up to 100m thicker and extended 400km North.
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Oceanography
View MoreThe Weddell Sea is one of the few areas where deep and bottom water masses are formed to contribute to the global thermohaline circulation.
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Marine Archaeology
View MoreWe have a team of leading marine archaeologists who hope to locate Shackleton’s lost Endurance ship. The 44m long sailing vessel journeyed into the southern regions of the Weddell Sea. The ship has still not been found.