Latest news with #GulfStream
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The world's 14 most mysterious destinations (plus five in Australia)
THE MYSTERY OF JACK THE RIPPER Where Whitechapel, London, England The backstory Over the years 1888 and 1889, at least five young women were murdered by an unidentified serial killer who stalked London's impoverished East End. He mostly preyed on sex workers, slitting their throats before mutilating them. A fearful public blasted the police for their 'incompetence' in never catching the killer. So who was he? There've been thousands of likely suspects over the years, but none ever confirmed. On the trail There are a number of walking tours of Whitechapel, visiting the location of each murder, and speculating about the killer and his victims. There's also a Jack the Ripper Museum on Cable Street. Make it happen Catch the overground train or one of three Tube lines converging at Whitechapel, and take a tour led by expert authors who've written books on the mystery. See THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE Where North Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico The backstory Also known as 'The Devil's Triangle', this is an area where about 50 ships, 20 planes and numerous people have vanished, seemingly into thin air. Is there some kind of deadly supernatural force – perhaps even emanating from the lost island of Atlanta, hidden below the water's surface? But analysts argue incidents may have been caused by the frequent tropical storms and hurricanes, and the Gulf Stream. On the trail Check out the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, which looks at the area's history and scientific explorations, take a Bermudaful Island Tour, or take a twilight cruise around the area, with the guide recounting the triangle's legends. Make it happen The US, Canada and UK all have direct flights to Bermuda and a number of cruises, such as Royal Caribbean, stop there. See THE MYSTERY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S BODY Where Vergina, near Thessaloniki, Greece The backstory After Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC, the famed conqueror's body was placed in a coffin of hammered gold and buried by his general Ptolemy near Giza in Egypt. Later, it was moved to Alexandria, but more than 140 scientific expeditions have failed to find it. It's thought it was moved again, but its whereabouts is still unknown, with some experts believing it was reinterred near the tombs of his father, son and half-brother at Vergina, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Tombs of Macedon in present-day Greece. On the trail Any search for the body could prove a long exercise, but what more fascinating a place to start than this? The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina) showcases the other tombs and the artefacts found in them, and offers clues to the burial practices of the time, with the archaeological site also open to the public. Make it happen Fly to Athens and then fly, catch a train or bus or drive the five and half hours to Thessaloniki, then another train or bus to Vergina, or there are tours from Thessaloniki. See THE MYSTERY OF WHO KILLED JFK Where Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, US The backstory US president John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in 1963 while in a motorcade alongside his wife Jacqueline, and the assassination has been fuelling conspiracy theories ever since. These include that it was part of an elaborate plot to change US history, involving – variously – the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, the KGB, the Cubans, the US military … and that the gunman did not act alone. Officially, Lee Harvey Oswald was named as the murderer, and was also shot dead two days later by nightclub operator Jack Ruby. On the trail There are direct flights to Dallas and once in the city, there are a number of tours visiting the Grassy Knoll in Dealey Plaza, the source of many of the conspiracy theories, the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the former Texas School Book Depository building from where Oswald took his shots, as well as his rooming house, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Where Easter Island/Rapa Nui, south-eastern Pacific Ocean The backstory The massive stone figures, or Moai, of remote Rapa Nui (a special territory of Chile), carved from volcanic rock, are up to 10 metres tall and weigh more than 80 tonnes, and date from AD 1300. But what do the 1000-odd statues of human heads and torsos mean, who made them, and how were they transported from the quarry to their present position? Ancient legend says the statues themselves walked. On the trail There are a number of published scientific papers on the island and its population, with theories that they died from the introduction of European diseases, or Polynesian rats eating their food and crops, or as a result of overpopulation. THE MYSTERY OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN Where Turin, Italy The backstory A length of linen cloth bears the faint image of a man who seems to have been crucified, so is believed by many to be Jesus' burial shroud. But is it real or a forgery, or simply coincidence? It's kept in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin and is rarely displayed to the public, but has been subjected to a battery of scientific tests, with any results always disputed. The late Pope Francis visited it in 2015 as a symbol of Christianity, but stopped short of declaring its authenticity. On the trail The shroud is stored in a bullet-proof, airtight container for its preservation, but visitors can go to the chapel where it's kept and see the photos and replicas at the Museum of the Shroud, a 10-minute walk away. A full-scale digital display is planned for the future. Make it happen Turin is 670 kilometres north of Rome and you can fly, drive, or catch a bus or train. There are tours to see the shroud's resting place, and visiting the cathedral is free. See THE MYSTERY OF THE ISLAND OF THE DOLLS Where Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico The backstory A creepy place among the canals, famous for the hundreds of dolls hanging from trees all over the island. Some locals believe the place is cursed and haunted, and refuse to visit. Its former owner is said to have discovered a drowned girl and the next day found a doll in the water, so hung it in a tree to ward off evil spirits, then collected and hung all the dolls he could find. He drowned in 2001 – eerily, at the same spot. On the trail Some visitors report the dolls move, with their eyes following them around, and they whisper to each other. It's therefore important to experience the place, and divine fact from fiction. Make it happen There are buses and trams for the 30-kilometre journey from Mexico City to Xochimilco, and then there are ferries or gondola-like boats rowed by locals. There are also tours that can be picked up. See THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA Where Giza, Egypt The backstory Everyone knows the Great Pyramid – the tallest human-made structure on Earth for nearly 4000 years – but no one knows how on Earth it could have been built in 2560 BC, with such heavy two-tonne blocks being moved to fit so precisely – or what it was for, beyond being the tomb of pharaoh Khufu. Did a tributary of the Nile once flow there? Why is there a recently discovered chamber inside? And where is Khufu's mummy? On the trail Before you go, check out the online Giza Project with its 3D reconstructions, documentaries such as the NOVA series about the pyramids, and any visiting exhibitions. See Make it happen In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum first, then either take a tour to Giza, with some led by Egyptologists, or catch a taxi and find a tour guide there. Alternatively, visit Egypt as part of a tour, such as Abercrombie & Kent's The Wonders of Ancient Egypt or Trip-A-Deal's 11-day Unbeatable Egypt. See THE MYSTERY OF THE MARY ROSE Where Portsmouth, England Loading The backstory King Henry VIII's naval flagship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545 with the loss of around 500 lives. But what caused the catastrophe? Was it a sudden squall that pushed it over, while gunports were open, letting water flood in? Or was it a lucky shot from a French cannon, or being top-heavy from bad loading? Even though it was salvaged in 1982, scientists continue to search for the answers. On the trail Head for the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth's historic dockyard where the hull and 19,000 Tudor artefacts are on display, along with guided tours and a 4D cinema film. There's also a behind-the-scenes tour available. Make it happen There are regular trains to Portsmouth from London Waterloo. Book a museum ticket in advance for £36 ($75). See FIVE CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN MYSTERIES TO INVESTIGATE Lake George, ACT Sometimes this lake, located 40 kilometres north-west of Canberra, is a magnificent body of water, sometimes green farmland, and at others, a parched dust bowl. Many people have died there, leading to legends about it being haunted and being visited by UFOs. Most experts now believe it's a very shallow lake that drains from the bottom and is subject to evaporation from above. See The Marree Man, near Marree, South Australia This giant 2.7 kilometre-tall figure of a man holding a boomerang or stick is etched into an outback plateau and was only discovered in 1998. No one knows who did it and why, with theories about aliens, Americans, an eccentric artist, local Aboriginal people and more. The site is closed, but it can be viewed from the air. See The Min Min Lights in Boulia, Queensland Ghostly lights, first recorded in 1838, have appeared before numerous drovers, farmers and travellers in the district over the years, and are said to have lured some to their deaths. Are they evil spirits, ghosts, UFOs, or sparks from geophysical elements in the ground, phosphorescence in marshes, or lightning? The Min Min Encounter is an equally weird animatronic show. See Loading The Sunbury Rings, Sunbury, Melbourne Ancient, 1400-year-old earth rings carved into the countryside were, at first, thought to be the result of some kind of mysterious natural, or supernatural, phenomenon. But now they are believed to be the work of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people to point to secret and sacred ceremonial sites. They can be visited with permission from the local Aboriginal corporation. See
The Age
12-06-2025
- The Age
The world's 14 most mysterious destinations (plus five in Australia)
THE MYSTERY OF JACK THE RIPPER Where Whitechapel, London, England The backstory Over the years 1888 and 1889, at least five young women were murdered by an unidentified serial killer who stalked London's impoverished East End. He mostly preyed on sex workers, slitting their throats before mutilating them. A fearful public blasted the police for their 'incompetence' in never catching the killer. So who was he? There've been thousands of likely suspects over the years, but none ever confirmed. On the trail There are a number of walking tours of Whitechapel, visiting the location of each murder, and speculating about the killer and his victims. There's also a Jack the Ripper Museum on Cable Street. Make it happen Catch the overground train or one of three Tube lines converging at Whitechapel, and take a tour led by expert authors who've written books on the mystery. See THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE Where North Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico The backstory Also known as 'The Devil's Triangle', this is an area where about 50 ships, 20 planes and numerous people have vanished, seemingly into thin air. Is there some kind of deadly supernatural force – perhaps even emanating from the lost island of Atlanta, hidden below the water's surface? But analysts argue incidents may have been caused by the frequent tropical storms and hurricanes, and the Gulf Stream. On the trail Check out the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, which looks at the area's history and scientific explorations, take a Bermudaful Island Tour, or take a twilight cruise around the area, with the guide recounting the triangle's legends. Make it happen The US, Canada and UK all have direct flights to Bermuda and a number of cruises, such as Royal Caribbean, stop there. See THE MYSTERY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S BODY Where Vergina, near Thessaloniki, Greece The backstory After Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC, the famed conqueror's body was placed in a coffin of hammered gold and buried by his general Ptolemy near Giza in Egypt. Later, it was moved to Alexandria, but more than 140 scientific expeditions have failed to find it. It's thought it was moved again, but its whereabouts is still unknown, with some experts believing it was reinterred near the tombs of his father, son and half-brother at Vergina, in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Tombs of Macedon in present-day Greece. On the trail Any search for the body could prove a long exercise, but what more fascinating a place to start than this? The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina) showcases the other tombs and the artefacts found in them, and offers clues to the burial practices of the time, with the archaeological site also open to the public. Make it happen Fly to Athens and then fly, catch a train or bus or drive the five and half hours to Thessaloniki, then another train or bus to Vergina, or there are tours from Thessaloniki. See THE MYSTERY OF WHO KILLED JFK Where Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, US The backstory US president John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in 1963 while in a motorcade alongside his wife Jacqueline, and the assassination has been fuelling conspiracy theories ever since. These include that it was part of an elaborate plot to change US history, involving – variously – the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, the KGB, the Cubans, the US military … and that the gunman did not act alone. Officially, Lee Harvey Oswald was named as the murderer, and was also shot dead two days later by nightclub operator Jack Ruby. On the trail There are direct flights to Dallas and once in the city, there are a number of tours visiting the Grassy Knoll in Dealey Plaza, the source of many of the conspiracy theories, the Sixth Floor Museum housed in the former Texas School Book Depository building from where Oswald took his shots, as well as his rooming house, and the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Where Easter Island/Rapa Nui, south-eastern Pacific Ocean The backstory The massive stone figures, or Moai, of remote Rapa Nui (a special territory of Chile), carved from volcanic rock, are up to 10 metres tall and weigh more than 80 tonnes, and date from AD 1300. But what do the 1000-odd statues of human heads and torsos mean, who made them, and how were they transported from the quarry to their present position? Ancient legend says the statues themselves walked. On the trail There are a number of published scientific papers on the island and its population, with theories that they died from the introduction of European diseases, or Polynesian rats eating their food and crops, or as a result of overpopulation. THE MYSTERY OF THE SHROUD OF TURIN Where Turin, Italy The backstory A length of linen cloth bears the faint image of a man who seems to have been crucified, so is believed by many to be Jesus' burial shroud. But is it real or a forgery, or simply coincidence? It's kept in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin and is rarely displayed to the public, but has been subjected to a battery of scientific tests, with any results always disputed. The late Pope Francis visited it in 2015 as a symbol of Christianity, but stopped short of declaring its authenticity. On the trail The shroud is stored in a bullet-proof, airtight container for its preservation, but visitors can go to the chapel where it's kept and see the photos and replicas at the Museum of the Shroud, a 10-minute walk away. A full-scale digital display is planned for the future. Make it happen Turin is 670 kilometres north of Rome and you can fly, drive, or catch a bus or train. There are tours to see the shroud's resting place, and visiting the cathedral is free. See THE MYSTERY OF THE ISLAND OF THE DOLLS Where Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico The backstory A creepy place among the canals, famous for the hundreds of dolls hanging from trees all over the island. Some locals believe the place is cursed and haunted, and refuse to visit. Its former owner is said to have discovered a drowned girl and the next day found a doll in the water, so hung it in a tree to ward off evil spirits, then collected and hung all the dolls he could find. He drowned in 2001 – eerily, at the same spot. On the trail Some visitors report the dolls move, with their eyes following them around, and they whisper to each other. It's therefore important to experience the place, and divine fact from fiction. Make it happen There are buses and trams for the 30-kilometre journey from Mexico City to Xochimilco, and then there are ferries or gondola-like boats rowed by locals. There are also tours that can be picked up. See THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA Where Giza, Egypt The backstory Everyone knows the Great Pyramid – the tallest human-made structure on Earth for nearly 4000 years – but no one knows how on Earth it could have been built in 2560 BC, with such heavy two-tonne blocks being moved to fit so precisely – or what it was for, beyond being the tomb of pharaoh Khufu. Did a tributary of the Nile once flow there? Why is there a recently discovered chamber inside? And where is Khufu's mummy? On the trail Before you go, check out the online Giza Project with its 3D reconstructions, documentaries such as the NOVA series about the pyramids, and any visiting exhibitions. See Make it happen In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum first, then either take a tour to Giza, with some led by Egyptologists, or catch a taxi and find a tour guide there. Alternatively, visit Egypt as part of a tour, such as Abercrombie & Kent's The Wonders of Ancient Egypt or Trip-A-Deal's 11-day Unbeatable Egypt. See THE MYSTERY OF THE MARY ROSE Where Portsmouth, England Loading The backstory King Henry VIII's naval flagship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545 with the loss of around 500 lives. But what caused the catastrophe? Was it a sudden squall that pushed it over, while gunports were open, letting water flood in? Or was it a lucky shot from a French cannon, or being top-heavy from bad loading? Even though it was salvaged in 1982, scientists continue to search for the answers. On the trail Head for the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth's historic dockyard where the hull and 19,000 Tudor artefacts are on display, along with guided tours and a 4D cinema film. There's also a behind-the-scenes tour available. Make it happen There are regular trains to Portsmouth from London Waterloo. Book a museum ticket in advance for £36 ($75). See FIVE CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN MYSTERIES TO INVESTIGATE Lake George, ACT Sometimes this lake, located 40 kilometres north-west of Canberra, is a magnificent body of water, sometimes green farmland, and at others, a parched dust bowl. Many people have died there, leading to legends about it being haunted and being visited by UFOs. Most experts now believe it's a very shallow lake that drains from the bottom and is subject to evaporation from above. See The Marree Man, near Marree, South Australia This giant 2.7 kilometre-tall figure of a man holding a boomerang or stick is etched into an outback plateau and was only discovered in 1998. No one knows who did it and why, with theories about aliens, Americans, an eccentric artist, local Aboriginal people and more. The site is closed, but it can be viewed from the air. See The Min Min Lights in Boulia, Queensland Ghostly lights, first recorded in 1838, have appeared before numerous drovers, farmers and travellers in the district over the years, and are said to have lured some to their deaths. Are they evil spirits, ghosts, UFOs, or sparks from geophysical elements in the ground, phosphorescence in marshes, or lightning? The Min Min Encounter is an equally weird animatronic show. See Loading The Sunbury Rings, Sunbury, Melbourne Ancient, 1400-year-old earth rings carved into the countryside were, at first, thought to be the result of some kind of mysterious natural, or supernatural, phenomenon. But now they are believed to be the work of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people to point to secret and sacred ceremonial sites. They can be visited with permission from the local Aboriginal corporation. See
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
The real-life Day After Tomorrow: Scientists reveal exactly how COLD Britain will get if the Gulf Stream collapses - with some areas plunging to -30°C
The UK could be plunged into a deep freeze with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C if climate change triggers a Gulf Stream collapse, experts have warned. For years, scientists have sounded the alarm over the potential effects of global warming, from increased droughts to catastrophic floods. But one scenario bears a stark resemblance to the film The Day After Tomorrow, in which parts of Britain could experience temperatures more common in northern Canada. Researchers examined how Europe's climate could be affected if the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) were to substantially weaken in conjunction with 2°C of global warming. Their analysis revealed that temperatures could plunge to -30°C in Scotland, while Edinburgh would spend nearly half of the year with a minimum temperature of below 0°C. London, meanwhile, would experience cold extremes of -19°C and record over two months' worth of additional days with sub-zero temperatures compared to the late 19th century. Expanding sea ice could cover parts of the British Isles, and there would also be increased winter storms, they warned. The AMOC is the large-scale ocean circulation in the Atlantic Ocean that plays a crucial role in regulating both the global and European climate by redistributing heat through the ocean. There is growing concern that the AMOC, of which the Gulf Stream is a part, may weaken or collapse under future climate change due to an influx of freshwater. In the new study, researchers used a complex climate model to simulate a range of scenarios in which the circulation system substantially weakens by more than 80 per cent, while also including the effects of global warming. They warned urgent action must be taken in an attempt to avoid these 'dangerous tipping points'. 'The relatively mild climate for a city such as Edinburgh would see drastic changes,' Michiel Baatsen, co-author of the study, said. 'For example, it would experience 164 days with minimum temperatures below zero, that's almost 50 per cent of the year, and an increase of 133 days compared to the pre-industrial climate. 'The Scandinavian climate would become much colder under such a scenario, with even Norway's typically mild west coast potentially experiencing extremes below -40°C — a drop of 25 degrees compared to the pre-industrial climate.' The researchers explained that summer temperatures are not significantly affected by a weaker Atlantic Ocean circulation, although some places would see a slight increase in warm extremes or summer temperatures. As a result, the contrast between summer and winter becomes greater, with much colder winters. There was an unusually cold winter recorded in Europe 15 years ago. Pictured, a driver tries to dig a car out from under the snow in Allendale, Northumberland, January 5, 2010 What is the AMOC? The Gulf Stream is a small part of a much wider system of currents, officially called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or AMOC. Described as 'the conveyor belt of the ocean', it transports warm water near the ocean's surface northwards - from the tropics to the northern hemisphere. When the warm water reaches the North Atlantic (Europe and the UK, and the US east coast), it releases the heat and then freezes. As this ice forms, salt is left behind in the ocean water. Due to the large amount of salt in the water, it becomes denser, sinks, and is carried southwards – back towards the tropics – in the depths below. Eventually, the water gets pulled back up towards the surface and warms up in a process called upwelling, completing the cycle. Scientists think AMOC brings enough warmth to the northern hemisphere that without it, large parts of Europe could enter a deep freeze. Beyond temperature effects, previous studies show that a weaker circulation system would also lead to less precipitation in Europe, along with faster sea-level rise in the Atlantic Ocean. 'Continued greenhouse gas emissions put us on a path to further extreme climate impacts, leading to more heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme weather events,' René van Westen, lead author of the study, said. 'The longer we keep burning fossil fuels, the worse these will get. At the same time, every fraction of a degree of global warming brings us closer to the collapse of the AMOC. 'Our new study shows that this would take Europe to the other extreme - a freezing cold future.' 'Policymakers must take heed - urgent and drastic cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to mitigate the most catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis and prevent the devastating consequences of an AMOC collapse on society.' Commenting on the study Gareth Redmond-King, Head of International Programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: 'A collapse of the AMOC, a critical ocean current, would tip the UK's current temperate climate into something like the cold of northern Canada, seriously reducing the land suitable for growing crops, and putting our food security in serious danger. 'Cutting emissions to net zero is the only solution we have to averting the most dangerous impacts of climate change. Dr Bablu Sinha, Leader of Climate and Uncertainty, Marine Systems Modelling (MSM), National Oceanography Centre, said the results are 'physically plausible' and in line with previous modelling studies. Professor Jon Robson, Research Fellow at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, added: 'A collapse in the strength of the AMOC would have serious implications, including for people living in Europe. 'This research adds to a growing worry that a collapse in the strength of the AMOC could mean sharp drops in European winter temperatures and increases in winter storminess across Northern Europe, even in a globally warming climate.' However some experts urged a sense of caution. Dr Alejandra Sanchez-Franks, Senior Research Scientist at the National Oceanography Centre, said: 'While these modelling studies are of great value to our community, it is important to be aware that our observational ocean records have not yet captured a tipping point, so the results of this study and their immediate impact on the real world must be interpreted with caution.' The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, was carried out by researchers from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute and Utrecht University.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
'Scotland's Hawaii' gets more sunlight than London with crystal-clear turquoise beaches
Tiny but stunning, the island offers endless sea-to-sky views, with just waves and birdsong breaking the silence When travel magazines show off vivid turquoise waters lapping against sugar-white sands, it's natural to think of the Caribbean. But tucked away in Scotland's Inner Hebrides lies a remote island where the light dazzles, the beaches stretch for miles, and the skies are as big as the ocean itself. The Isle of Tiree, often dubbed 'Scotland's Hawaii of the north', might be only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sheer natural splendour. With no forests and just three modest hills interrupting the flat landscape, views sweep uninterrupted from sea to sky. All around, the only sounds are the crash of Atlantic waves and the calls of birds wheeling overhead. The island owes much of its unique character to the Gulf Stream, which carries warm currents from the Caribbean across the Atlantic and washes them along Scotland's west coast. Thanks to this oceanic gift, Tiree enjoys some of the mildest weather in the country, and an annual sunshine tally of around 1,500 hours, more than London. In fact, long before modern tourism, one visitor had already spotted its potential. Writing in 1883, George, the eighth Duke of Argyll, praised the island's exceptional climate: "Far better than that of the mainland. There is much less rain, the rainfall scarcely exceeding the average of from 35 to 40 inches. I fully expect that far on in summers I shall not see, the island of Tiree will be a great resort of health." He was equally struck by its natural offerings: "Its strong yet soft sea-air, its comparative dryness, its fragrant turf full of wild thyme and clover, its miles of pure white sandy bays equally pleasant for riding, driving, or walking, or for sea-bathing, and last not least, its unrivalled expanses for the game of golf." More than a century on, the island continues to offer the same unspoilt charm. It is a haven for walkers, birdwatchers, windsurfers and anyone looking to slow down and breathe. With wide beaches perfect for paddling, sandcastle-building or simply sitting still, Tiree is as peaceful as it is photogenic. According to VisitScotland: "Tiree is also known as a windy place, with the strongest winter gales normally occurring in December and January. The advantage, however, is that midges are almost non-existent in summer." That breeze helps power the island's most famous sporting event, the Tiree Wave Classic. Held each October, it's the longest running windsurfing competition in the UK and draws adrenaline seekers from around the world. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. But adventure is only one side of the story. Tiree's past is quietly preserved in a scattering of ancient ruins and two dedicated heritage centres. Crannogs, brochs and relics from past generations hint at island life through the ages, while Scarinish and Hynish offer tales, poems, maps and stories from local history. Getting there is part of the experience. Caledonian MacBrayne runs regular ferries from Oban, with vehicle places in high demand during the summer months. Loganair offers daily flights from Glasgow, taking just 45 minutes and offering sweeping views over Scotland's western isles. Hebridean Air Services also runs flights from Oban on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
ITV News
08-06-2025
- Science
- ITV News
Antarctica: A journey to the end of the earth to find answers about our planet's future
ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew reports from deep within the Antarctic Circle. I'm the only journalist on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough, deep within the Antarctic Circle. No British research ship has ventured this far south, this late in the winter, since Shackleton's ill-fated Endurance expedition. History buffs will know that story didn't end well. Shackleton's ship was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea, leaving his crew stranded for nearly two years, surviving on the ice and living off seal meat. The fact that our journey south has been plain sailing through waters that, by rights, should be frozen solid is a stark warning of how rapidly our climate is changing. Staring out into this frozen wilderness feels a world away from the UK's summer, but the scientists I'm travelling with insist we're far more connected than you might think. The Southern Ocean captures vast quantities of carbon and heat, and it helps drive global currents, including the Gulf Stream. Meanwhile, the sea ice surrounding Antarctica acts like a giant mirror, reflecting the sun's heat. And then there's the very real issue of rising sea levels. Antarctica holds two-thirds of the world's fresh water. For years, it was considered relatively stable — a vast, ancient ice sheet that wouldn't melt for millennia. But in recent decades, both landscapes and scientific opinions have shifted dramatically. The Antarctic Peninsula, which stretches towards Chile, is now warming faster than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. The fear is that this alarming trend will spread across the entire continent — a land mass nearly twice the size of Europe. You might know the RRS Sir David Attenborough better by its famously suggested nickname, Boaty McBoatface — the humorous moniker voted for by the public. But this £200 million icebreaker is no joke. It's a serious piece of engineering, carrying some of the world's leading scientists aboard the UK's largest floating research lab. Their mission: to better understand how Antarctica's climate is changing, and what it means for the rest of the planet. Six years ago, British Antarctic Survey scientists Professor Mike Meredith and Dr Rhiannon Jones watched as three million tonnes of ice broke away from a glacier before their eyes. Now, they've returned to study how underwater tidal waves — triggered by collapses on that scale — alter the ocean and accelerate warming. Incredibly, while monitoring the same glacier, it happens again. This time, the collapse isn't as massive, but the fact it's happening in the depths of winter is even more alarming. "To stand there and see it directly in front of us was incredible," said Dr Rhiannon Jones. "It was all really unexpected, it really hit home that we're seeing some rapid changes to the region and we don't know what the consequences will be." Professor Mike Meredith said humans are to blame. "The retreat in sea ice is linked to the warming of the ocean and that's something that we know us humans are doing," he said. "The implications of this are climatic in that it effects how reflective the surface of the planet is, so the planet's now absorbing more heat from the sun than it used to. "It also removes a protective barrier from around Antarctica that can actually contribute to the destabilisation of the ice sheets." Releasing vast quantities of ice into the ocean on this scale can directly impact global sea levels. The latest models from researchers at the University of Durham suggest the amount of ice lost from polar ice sheets has quadrupled since the 1990s. We're currently losing around 270 billion tonnes of ice every year. Even if we managed to limit global warming to 1.5°C — which, at present, we're not on track to do — sea levels will still be rising at a rate that will be difficult to manage by the end of the century. According to Professor Chris Stokes: 'People need to be aware that sea level rise is likely to accelerate to rates that will be very difficult to adapt to — rates of one centimetre per year are not out of the question within the lifetime of our young people.' Over the next fortnight, I'll be reporting live from Antarctica — bringing you not just the latest discoveries from the world of climate science, but also the personal stories of those who endure the cold, the darkness, and the isolation to study this remote, frozen continent. From the wildlife to the wilderness, I'll do my best to share with you the stark beauty of this extraordinary place. Please join me on the journey if you can.
