UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling

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Welcome to the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling

The UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM) provides national capability in satellite observations and numerical modelling of Earth’s polar regions. We enhance understanding and prediction of environmental changes, and help society prepare for the global impacts of climate change.

CPOM is a community of UK universities working in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council.

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Featured News

AI can map giant icebergs from satellite images 10,000 times faster than humans

Scientists have trained an artificial intelligence (AI) system to accurately map the surface area and outline of giant icebergs captured on satellite images in just one-hundredth of a second.

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CPOM led research shows sea level rise matches worst-case scenario

Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, whose melting rates are rapidly increasing, have raised global sea level by 1.8cm since the 1990s, and are matching worst-case climate warming scenarios.

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Record low Antarctic sea ice is four times more likely with climate change

In 2023, winter Antarctic sea ice measured at its lowest since 1978 when satellite records began. Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM) investigated this sea ice loss, the likelihood of it happening, and its relationship to climate change.

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Science Themes

Research Highlight

CPOM's work was highlighted at the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting this year and showcased to 25,000+ attendees from 100+ countries. Watch the AGUTV video here...