Opinion Editorial

5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) 2032—2033 with global inclusion

Articles

Geomorphometry of the Bunger Hills, East Antarctica

Comprehensive analysis of seismic activity on King George Island, Antarctica: insights from the September— October 2020 seismic swarm

Spatiotemporal characteristics of population structure for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) during austral summer in Amundsen Sea

Spatiotemporal variations of sea ice kinematics in the Transpolar Drift of the Arctic Ocean in 2019/2020 derived from buoy measurements during MOSAiC

Shipping decarbonization governance in Arctic waters: theoretic logic and implementation pathways

Announcements

Call for paper: 2025 Special Issue “New Horizons in the Exploration of Polar Biodiversity, Ecosystem and Genetic Resources”

Call for paper: 2026 Special Issue “Changes of the Arctic Climate System and Its Global Connections”

The 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5) 2032–2033 is the next step with the “oldest continuous climate research program created by humanity”, which started in 1882–1883 with IPY-1 intentionally during a Solar Maximum after the “Little Ice Age” had impacted Europe across the previous four centuries. IPY-5 is a rare research opportunity to stimulate transdisciplinary initiatives with efficiencies and synergies that are relevant to all people and life on Earth pole-to-pole, across the cryosphere that includes high mountains on lands in between, connected by the atmosphere and ocean with Solar forcing across periods relevant to human survival. This editorial explores current and accelerating momentum to implement science with society across the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) 2024–2033 with IPY-5 as a guiding light.

Geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases are promising for obtaining new quantitative knowledge about the topography of these unique landscapes and for the further use of morphometric information in Antarctic research. Within the framework of a project to create a thematic physical-geographical scientific reference geomorphometric atlas of ice-free areas of Antarctica, we performed geomorphometric modeling and mapping of the Bunger Hills (Knox Coast, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica), one of the largest Antarctic oases. By processing a fragment of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA) covering the Bunger Hills and adjacent glaciers, we created, for the first time, a series of 37 medium- to large-scale maps of nine of the most scientifically important morphometric variables (i.e., slope gradient, slope aspect, vertical curvature, horizontal curvature, maximal curvature, minimal curvature, catchment area, topographic wetness index, and stream power index). The morphometric maps describe the topography of the Bunger Hills in a quantitative, rigorous, and reproducible manner. New morphometric data can be useful for further geological, geomorphological, glaciological, ecological, and hydrological studies of this Antarctic oasis.

A seismic swarm occurred southeast of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, between August 2020 and February 2021. This work intends to parameterize seismic events recorded by seismic station AM.R4DE2 from 15 September to 31 October 2020. Using the localization methodology with a single station, the record of the entire period was analyzed manually to determine the local magnitude, hypocentral distance, epicentral distance, backazimuth, and location of the epicenter for each event. We could parameterize 6362 events, although we estimate the occurrence to be around 20000 for the period. The results suggest a magmatic origin for the swarm, supporting previous studies. Seismicity exhibited a southeastward migration away from King George Island, as indicated by a progressive increase in epicentral distance over time. Most events were classified as volcanic and volcano-tectonic, supporting a magmatogenesis hypothesis linked to the opening of Bransfield Ridge.

This paper was based on data collected during the 38th and 39th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expeditions in the Amundsen Sea. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns of length (total length, AT) and sexual maturity stages of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) were examined. The age structure and geographic distribution of cluster groups also were studied. The results reveal significant diurnal variations in the length and maturity stages of Antarctic krill during the morning (MRN) to morning twilight (MTW) period, with mean lengths ranging from 28.92 to 45.87 mm. Two cyclical patterns were observed. Regarding maturity stages, the krill were composed of juveniles, adult males, and adult females in increasing order of proportion, with a notably higher proportion of non-gravid females compared to gravid females, and mainly distributed in evening twilight (ETW) to dawn (DWN), MTW to day (DAY), MRN to MTW, MRN to MTW and night (NIT) to DAY periods, respectively. Significant spatial variations in krill length and maturity stages occur, with a marked regional boundary around 130°W. K-means clustering analysis of krill length identified Group I, Group II, and Group III, with dominant age classes of 3+, 0 and 3+, and 3+ to 4+, respectively. Group II was widely distributed in the surveyed waters, whereas Group I and Group III were distributed only in waters west of 130°W. The study area features a significant continental slope, where adults and gravid females were primarily distributed on its slopes and to the south. This spatial pattern also profoundly influenced the distribution of different cluster groups.

Using nine ice-tethered buoys deployed across the marginal ice zone (MIZ) and pack ice zone (PIZ) north of the Laptev Sea during the expedition of the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) in 2019–2020, we characterized the spatiotemporal variations in sea ice kinematics and deformation between October 2019 and  July 2020 in the Transpolar Drift (TPD). From October to November, the buoys were in the upstream area of the TPD; spatial variations of deformation rates were significantly correlated with initial ice thickness (R=−0.84, P<0.05). From December 2019 to March 2020, the buoys were in the high Arctic and the ice cover was consolidated; heterogeneity in ice kinematics as measured across the buoys reduced by 65%. From April to May 2020, the buoys were in the downstream TPD; amplified spatial variations in ice kinematics were observed. This is because two buoys had drifted over the shallow waters north of Svalbard earlier; trajectory-stretching exponents derived from the data from these two buoys indicate deformation rates (10.6 d⁻¹) that were about twice those in the deep basin (4.2 d⁻¹). By June 2020, a less consolidated ice pack and enhanced tidal forcing in the Fram Strait MIZ resulted in ice deformation with a semi-diurnal power spectral density of >0.25 d⁻¹, which is about 1.5 times that in PIZ. Therefore, in both the upstream and downstream regions of the TPD, the transition between the MIZ and the PIZ contribute to the spatial and seasonal variations of sea ice motion and deformation. The results from this study can be used to support the characterization of the momentum balance and influencing factors during the ice advection along the TPD, which is a crucial corridor for Arctic sea ice outflow to the north Atlantic Ocean.

The accelerated decline of Arctic sea ice since the 1980s has paradoxically amplified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through increased shipping activities in this ecologically vulnerable region. This study investigates how to reconcile the decarbonization of Arctic shipping with conflicting environmental, economic, and geopolitical interests. Through systematic literature review and interest-balancing analysis, our findings identify three systemic barriers: (1) inadequate adaptation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations to Arctic-specific environmental risks, (2) fragmented enforcement mechanisms among Arctic and non-Arctic States, and (3) technological limitations in clean fuel adoption for ice-class vessels. To address these challenges, a tripartite governance framework is proposed. First, legally binding amendments to International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI introducing Arctic-specific Energy Efficiency eXisting ship Index (EEXI) standards and extending energy efficiency regulations to fishing vessels. Second, a phased fuel transition prioritizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol, followed by hydrogen-ammonia synthetics. Third, enhanced multilateral cooperation through an Arctic Climate Shipping Alliance to coordinate joint research and development in cold-adapted technologies and ice-route optimization. By integrating United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) obligations with IMO Polar Code implementation, this study advances a dynamic interest-balancing framework for policymakers, offering actionable pathways to achieve Paris Agreement targets while safeguarding Arctic ecosystems.