Latest pictures of the Antarctic icy region

Journalists of Guardian (UK) magazine sent the latest images in December 2013 of the Antarctic icy land during the 2013-2014 expedition of MV Akademik Shokalskiy (Russia).

The iceberg in Antarctica

Alok Jha and Laurence Topham journalists participated in the Antarctic expedition on MV Akademik Shokalskiy (Russia) by Professor Chris Turney and Dr. Chris Fogwill - working at the Center for Climate Change Research at the University of New South Wales, Australia - leader.

Journalist Alok Jha and penguins in Antarctica

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy left Bluff port of New Zealand from December 8 and arrived in Antarctica on December 18. There are 68 people on board, including 20 crew members and 48 passengers. This expedition was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Dr. Douglas Mawson (1882-1958) - an outstanding Australian scientist - leading the Australian expedition team to explore the southeastern lands during the period from 1911 -1913.

The goal of the 2013-2014 expedition Australasian Antarctic Expedition is to discover how the Antarctic Antarctic Expedition land has changed over the past 100 years.

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy expedition team explored the hut - Dr. Douglas Mawson's previous residence and research, driving the terrain to explore around Antarctica, playing with penguins.

The moment penguins flock into the sea

In another development involving the Antarctic expedition, on December 25, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy was trapped in the Antarctic iceberg - about 180km east of the Dumont D'Urville research station to the east. After receiving the rescue message, the Australian Maritime Administration (AMSA) sent three icebreakers from Australia, France and China to the location to save the ship in distress.

Thankfully everyone on the train is now safe and is expected that on December 28, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy will escape from being stuck and continue its journey into the South Ocean, stopping at Macquarie Island - lying between Antarctica and Australia - to study wildlife before returning to New Zealand's Port of Bluff.