A side view of a black and white orca.

Poles

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Looking through this iceberg's reflection in the Antarctic water, you can see the iceberg below the surface—some 90% of its total volume.

The Arctic and the Antarctic Overview

Are you a student researching the poles or someone looking to learn more about the poles? This overview dives into everything to know.

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Featured Content

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Human activity is increasing in the Arctic marine environment due to climate change. To help the most vulnerable areas, the Global Marine Program of IUCN, along with partners, is convening a series of workshops aimed at enhancing ecosystem-based management and identifying biologically or ecologically important or vulnerable habitats. Burgerbukta, a bay in Svalbard, Norway, is being managed for ecosystem protection.

What is the Sea Ice Minimum? (And Why Do We Care)

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A humpback whale breaching in Antarctic waters.

Humpback Whales in Antarctica: What Are the Whales Doing?

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A walrus sits on top of ice.

The Cultural Icescapes of the Arctic

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In 2011, storms and lack of ice-cover due to a warmer winter climate resulted in hundreds of seal pups being washed up on the shore of Prince Edward Island. Like many, this young seal faced an uncertain future. See more Nature's Best Photos.

Ice-Loving Seals and the Loss of Sea Ice

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The Greenland glacier Jakobshavn Isbrae is massive, at around 40 miles long and more than a mile thick.

Up Close and Personal With the Fastest Glacier in the World

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

see all lesson plans see polar lesson plans

Poles Articles

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Polar bears are threatened by a lack of sea ice.

Climate Change at the Poles

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Human activity is increasing in the Arctic marine environment due to climate change. To help the most vulnerable areas, the Global Marine Program of IUCN, along with partners, is convening a series of workshops aimed at enhancing ecosystem-based management and identifying biologically or ecologically important or vulnerable habitats. Burgerbukta, a bay in Svalbard, Norway, is being managed for ecosystem protection.

The Sant Ocean Hall: Life at the Poles Exhibit

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The Greenland glacier Jakobshavn Isbrae is massive, at around 40 miles long and more than a mile thick.

Up Close and Personal With the Fastest Glacier in the World

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A narwhal breaches the surface, its tusk pointed to the sky

Why a Tusk? The real-life unicorns of the sea and the tusks that make them famous

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Cartoon t-shirts with got plankton.

The Cloud Factories that Live in the Sea

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data of sea ice coverage in the Arctic

Arctic Sea Ice: A New Low?

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A humpback whale breaching in Antarctic waters.

Humpback Whales in Antarctica: What Are the Whales Doing?

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In 2011, storms and lack of ice-cover due to a warmer winter climate resulted in hundreds of seal pups being washed up on the shore of Prince Edward Island. Like many, this young seal faced an uncertain future. See more Nature's Best Photos.

Ice-Loving Seals and the Loss of Sea Ice

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A walrus sits on top of ice.

The Cultural Icescapes of the Arctic

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A large red research vessel among icy waters and snowy mountains

Shipboard Life in the Antarctic

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Greenland Shark in cold water

In the Eyes of One Shark, Age is Nothing to Fear

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Karen Romano Young's 19th AntarcticLog comic

Comics at Sea: An Antarctic Logbook

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