Alfred Wegener Institute

@awi.de

We research ice, oceans and climate.
Website: www.awi.de
Imprint: https://www.awi.de/en/imprint.html

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Permafrost is changing: A new AWI study analysed active layer thickness at 156 sites worldwide (2000–2024). Most sites show a significant increase, with particularly strong changes in European mountain regions.

Read More: www.nature.com/articles/s43...

Photos: Susann Henkel, Anna Irrgang

@jhauck.bsky.socialReposted by @awi.de

An opinion paper on the status of polar blue carbon led by @nadescha.bsky.social as part of the @pomp-eu.bsky.social project, to which we also contribute with modelling biological carbon storage in both polar oceans at @awi.de .
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As part of the preparations for a major international research project in the Beaufort Sea in 2027, AWI researchers traveled to Inuvik, Canada, to meet with Canadian and Swiss researchers, as well as Inuvialuit representatives. While there, they spotted and captured on camera Arctic wildlife.

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In early September, researchers from Germany, Canada and Switzerland met in Inuvik, Canada, with representatives of the Inuvialuit communities to discuss research needs and opportunities for collaboration on the BeauPAIR project in the Beaufort Sea.

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Permafrost is a vital part of the Arctic ecosystem. It stores carbon and provides stable, firm ground. When the ice melts, thermokarst lakes form. AWI researchers have now created the 'Lost Lakes' database, which contains information about the state of thermokarst lakes.

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A Year in the Ice: The Tara Polar Station has begun its drift through the central Arctic!🧊🐻‍❄️On 9 September, the Tara Polar Station, reached its ice floe. From there, it will drift with the sea ice across the Arctic Ocean for a year. AWI scientist Julia Regnery is on board.

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Greetings from the North Pole! Last Friday, the Polarstern reached the North Pole for the ninth time. The crew moored to an ice floe, enabling expedition participants to enjoy a few hours on the ice in beautiful weather, while the scientific work continued on board.

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New study by the SCAR-Action Group “Rings” with AWI participation warns: Major gaps in knowledge along Antarctica’s coasts – where the ice sheet and the Southern Ocean interact – are now one of the biggest obstacles to reliably projecting future global sea level rise. Photo: Thomas Ronge

@melaniebergma18.bsky.socialReposted by @awi.de

2️⃣ Yesterday, our research icebreaker Polarstern passed the 2 million nautical mile mark during the LAMEX expedition 🎉! 🐻‍❄️ During its transit from Svalbard to stations off East Greenland, it encountered a few polar bears 🥰! 📸Felix Tulatz @awi.de @meereisportal.bsky.social @helmholtz.de

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Arctic cyclones can accelerate sea-ice loss, especially when they occur in rapid succession. An international research team led by the AWI has now systematically investigated how this cyclone clustering affects the future of Arctic sea ice and coastlines.

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awi.deCyclone clusters in the Arctic reduce sea ice and threaten coastlinesIn the Arctic, the weather plays a key role in determining how much ice covers the ocean. One weather phenomenon that has a significant influence on this is Arctic cyclones: they cause unusually warm ...
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Antarctica InSync is a global, interdisciplinary research initiative bringing scientists together to better understand how Antarctica’s interconnected systems are changing. The new Science Plan provides a roadmap for coordinating Antarctic research. The AWI is part of this international project. 🐧🌍

antarctica-insync.orgPublication of the Antarctica InSync Science Plan - Antarctica InsyncWe are pleased to announce the official publication of the Antarctica InSync Science Plan! This important milestone has been achieved through the outstanding collaboration, dedication, and expertise o...
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The Arctic's permafrost stores large quantities of organic carbon. Researchers from the AWI and @marumunibremen.bsky.social have shown that large quantities of this carbon, released by thawing permafrost and coastal erosion, are permanently buried in seafloor sediments.

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awi.deThe Arctic Ocean keeps permafrost carbon firmly lockedPermafrost in the Arctic stores large quantities of organic carbon. When the frozen ground thaws or coastal sections erode, this carbon can enter the sea, where microorganisms can break it down and co...
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The SYNCHRONY project, led by the AWI, will start on 1 August 2026. It will strengthen observations in the Southern Ocean, improve our understanding of changes to the ocean, ice and atmosphere, and lay the groundwork for the UN Ocean Decade initiative, Antarctica InSync.

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awi.deA new observing system for the Southern OceanThe EU project SYNCHRONY will launch on August 1st, 2026. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the rapid changes taking place in the complex system comprising the ocean, ice and atmosphe...
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Tara Polar Station set off from the port of Lorient on 19 July. The mobile, international research station run by the Tara Ocean Fondation is now on its way to the Arctic, where it will drift across the ocean. Among the participants will be AWI researchers. 📸 François Dourlens/Fondation Tara Océan

Tara Polar Station in the harbor