Story perspectives

650,000 km² Antarctic Ice Gap Threatens Penguins, Sea Level

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

A sea-ice gap the size of France opened off Antarctica’s west coast, raising alarm.
Scientists measured 650,000 km² less ice in the Bellingshausen Sea than the 1991-2020 June average.
The loss reduces krill shelter, threatens emperor-penguin breeding and hastens ice-shelf breakup, raising sea-level rise.
Dr Will Hobbs warned third low-ice event in four years coincided with a 15.4 °C reading at Argentina’s Esperanza base on 5 June, above the –6.2 °C norm.

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Story summary

A sea-ice gap the size of France opened off Antarctica’s west coast, raising alarm.
Scientists measured 650,000 km² less ice in the Bellingshausen Sea than the 1991-2020 June average.
The loss reduces krill shelter, threatens emperor-penguin breeding and hastens ice-shelf breakup, raising sea-level rise.
Dr Will Hobbs warned third low-ice event in four years coincided with a 15.4 °C reading at Argentina’s Esperanza base on 5 June, above the –6.2 °C norm.