Newly Discovered Antarctic Island Uncovered by Researchers

Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven, Germany, have made a significant discovery in the northwestern Weddell Sea. What was once thought to be a ‘danger zone’ is now identified as a newly discovered island.

This discovery emerged during an expedition on AWI’s research vessel, the Polarstern. The team initially sought to study declining sea ice in the area. However, adverse weather conditions prompted researchers to seek refuge on Joinville Island. It was there that they noticed an unusual formation initially identified as an iceberg but later confirmed as a rocky island.

“On our route, the nautical chart showed an area with unexplored dangers to navigation, but it wasn’t clear what it was or where the information came from,” explained Simon Dreutter, a bathymetry data engineer at AWI.

Upon further inspection, Dreutter observed an ‘iceberg’ that appeared dirty, suggesting it might be rock. Using drone imaging and echo sounding technology, the team surveyed the island, documenting its size and height. The island measures approximately 426 feet in length and 164 feet in width, rising over 50 feet above sea level.

The ‘discovery of an island is rare.’ Despite resembling nearby icebergs from an aerial view, it remains unclear why the island was previously marked as a danger zone. AWI representatives note that many Antarctic areas are modeled from low-resolution satellite data, leaving gaps in nautical charts.

The island has been submitted for official naming to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). Despite advancements in satellite observations, less than a quarter of the Weddell Sea is fully charted. This region’s vast uncharted areas offer potential for new discoveries.