Surveying for Survival – Brunt Ice shelf at critical mass

Severn Partnership have close ties with British Antarctic Survey with 6 current / former employees having completed work in Antarctica. We have visited Both Halley and Rothera Research Station’s located in the most remote hostile place on the planet, #Antarctica. The bases are operated and maintained by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) – an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council.

Why have we been there?

To survey in the harshest landscape on the planet of course ! For the last 50+ years, Halley base, located on the Brunt Ice shelf, has been the centre of atmospheric scientific research. It is where scientists in the 90’s discovered the ozone hole, caused by #environmental pollution. From that discovery, the world started learning and making changes, evidence that is impacting the natural world in ways not previously imagined.   Ironically, the latest news, reveals nature trying to destroy the base, by breaking off one of the largest #icebergs in recorded history.

So where does Surveying come in?

Back in 1990, teams of surveyors have been mapping the base and the area around it. This has been to ensure the survival of the base and to prevent it being buried by the snow build up. Over 10 years ago, the design of the base was radically changed to allow it to be moved on ski’s preventing it from being buried. No one ever predicted that this design would benefit in such a dramatic way. Survey provides the mapping data to allow understanding on a micro or global scale. With technological advancements growing the industry, the survey industry has never been so important.

Mark Combes life in the freezer

The Crack gets bigger !

In 2016, our surveyors re-visited the Brunt Ice Shelf, for one sole purpose. Plot a route to move the base over 30km to safety. A crack had been discovered that would eventually break off a huge portion of the ice shelf. The current position of Halley base, meant it would go with it, and be destroyed ! Not good for a multi million pound research base. In 2016/2017 the base was successfully moved along the safe path we set out. Over the next 12 months, sadly the research proved to be correct. The crack had extended and a area the size of approximately 1590 km2 will break off and form a #megaiceberg.

The impact of human behaviour is having a dramatic effect on our planet and this is clear evidence of #climatecrisis. Severn Partnership hope to continue to send survey teams across the world and do ‘our bit’ in trying to save our planet and making the world aware of what is happening. We do this by efficiently mapping the planet from a small road to a frozen continent.

For further information please visit:

Brunt Ice Shelf news

British Antarctic Survey