Jump to content Jump to footer
Install App

Install this app on your device for a better experience.

News overview

List of news

Alle Filter Löschen
Photo taken by the above-ice camera at ice station 1 in the Atlantic sector of the northern Fram Strait.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / panomax
© Alfred Wegener Institute / panomax

The influence of natural climate variability

The sea-ice minimum in the Arctic wasn’t as low as expected. The explanation: natural fluctuations in the climate system, which are becoming increasingly important.

Polar 6 flies over Regime 3 during work on the ice, 22 July 2025
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Stefanie Brechtelsbauer
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Stefanie Brechtelsbauer

How the Arctic Sea Ice Melted in Summer 2025

CONTRASTS expedition has successfully observed the summer 2025 sea-ice melting in detail; now the analysis of the data and samples begins.

A Wake-Up Call from Antarctica

A new study presents evidence of an abrupt shift in the Antarctic climate system. The dramatic decline in sea ice plays a key role.

Screenshot of the MapViewer on board the Polarstern.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Thomas Krumpen
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Thomas Krumpen

Satellites as Guides for RV Polarstern

The digital map system “Mapviewer” is essential for route planning and navigation through sea ice and is evaluated during the CONTRASTS expedition.

A hyperspectral camera (black box on tripod) measuring the reflectivity of a meltpond.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Johannes Gerstein
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Johannes Gerstein

Midsummer in the Arctic

Most of this year’s young sea ice has now melted.

Broadband albedo measurements and ASD spectral albedo measurements
© University of Washington / Melinda Webster
© University of Washington / Melinda Webster

Where does the sunlight go?

Sea ice and sunlight: fascinating and essential components of the Arctic summer

At Station 1, parts of the ice cover were melted to such an extent that the darker ocean could be seen through the ice.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Marcel Nicolaus
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Marcel Nicolaus

Up to 40-centimetre drop in thickness within two weeks

In the Arctic, participants in the Polarstern expedition CONTRASTS observed the rapid melting of the one- and two-year-old ice in July

ROSINA is returned to the deck after capturing images of phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, jellies, and settling particles.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Morten Iversen
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Morten Iversen

How does sea-ice melting impact the ecosystem?

The three CONTRASTS sea ice regimes exhibit major differences in terms of their ecosystems – from the sea ice to the deep sea.
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Evgenii Salganik
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Evgenii Salganik

Is the ocean melting the sea ice?

CONTRASTS investigates possible ocean regimes and how they influence the melting of sea ice.

The 10-metre-high weather mast (left) and the energy balance station (right).
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Sandro Dahlke
© Alfred Wegener Institute / Sandro Dahlke

Where the atmosphere touches the sea ice

Sea-ice melting depends to a great extent on weather conditions. Significant differences are also expected between regions.