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Belgian and international scientists from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) have returned from Antarctica with samples and data that could help them determine where to find million-year old ice, which in turn can provide information about Earth’s climate in the past.

With their safety training complete, this past week the newly arrived scientists headed out into the field to begin their field work while the IPF team prepared for the arrival of the cargo ship at the coast.

Several scientists and crew went home this past week as new scientists and crew arrived.

An international team led by Belgian scientists has recovered 115 Antarctic meteorites weighing more than 2 kg during the ongoing 2024-2025 BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE).

The scientific teams at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica this season have done impressive work they can be proud of!

While it is not uncommon for temperatures to rise above freezing in Antarctica in some places during the austral summer, temperatures above freezing are becoming more frequent than in previous years.

While the scientists and all of the IPF staff who support their work in the field concentrate on doing the best science possible, the team of engineers, technicians, and mechanics are also hard at work on a number of new projects.

Scientific field campaigns continued in earnest this past week as more scientists and crew arrived at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica.

Field expeditions for the FROID and ULTIMO projects are off to a strong start, with other scientific projects stopping by the station this week.

On December 3rd, on the second day of the annual Arctic Futures Symposium, the International Polar Foundation (IPF) and the Trân Family handed out the third Laurence Trân Arctic Futures Award to Siu-Tsiu, a non-profit social enterprise based in Greenland that employs and upskills marginalised young people to help them find work, pursue further education, give them a sense of community and give them a sense of purpose in life.