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Antarctic Science Platform

Supporting excellent science to understand Antarctica's impact on the global earth system.

The Platform supports four large scale research projects that fall under two main Programmes; the Antarctic ice-ocean-atmosphere system in a warming world and Ross Sea Region ecosystem dynamics in a warming world.

The funding is for $49 million over seven years.

In Budget 2017 a new Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) for Antarctic science was announced. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment then invited Antarctica New Zealand to develop a plan to host the Antarctic Science Platform. In 2018 MBIE contracted Antarctica New Zealand to host the Antarctic Science Platform. More information about the Platform can be found here

Our work in Antarctica

ASP 1920 field season large

The Antarctic Science Platform comprises of four major projects, each with it's own team of world leading scientists and research priorities. Find out more about the projects below:

Project One: Antarctic Ice Dynamics

Project Two: Antarctic Ocean Mechanics

Project Three: Projecting Ross Sea Region ecosystem changes in a warming world

Project Four: Sea Ice and Carbon Cycle Feedbacks

Antarctica's ICEperts - Webinar Series

Our Antarctic ICEperts webinar series will unpack life in Antarctica, while highlighting the important research conducted by the Antarctic Science Platform over the last three years. This science will inform policy makers understanding of Antarctica’s impact on the global earth system and how this might change in a +2˚C (Paris Agreement) world.

Updates

Atmospheric River Research 2
14 July 2022

Tropical thunderstorms affect Antarctic melting

Record melting linked to warm, moist air that flows across South Pacific Ocean. A train of atmospheric events that starts near New Zealand has been linked to record melting of ice shelves in the Antarctic. New research in Nature … Read More

Emperor penguins by Fiona Shanhun
24 May 2022

Antarctica: coming to a postcode near you

Climate change is having significant impacts on Antarctica’s ice sheets, climate and life, with far-reaching global consequences, according to a new report from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). The report, r… Read More

ASP Scaled
29 October 2020

Antarctic Science Platform Update: October

Welcome to our Antarctic whānau Dr Dan HikuroaThe Antarctic Science Platform is pleased to welcome Dr Daniel Hikuroa to the team. Dan, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, has been appointed to the Platform’s Steering… Read More

Hikuroa
23 October 2020

Welcome to our Antarctic whanau Dr Dan

Nau mai, haere mai, tautī mai ki Te Tiri O Te Moana.The Antarctic Science Platform is pleased welcome Dr Daniel Hikuroa to the team.Dan, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, has been appointed to the Platform’s Steeri… Read More

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