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Saturday, December 13, 2025
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Friday, December 12, 2025
NATO's polar pressure point: the Svalbard Archipelago and the Russian Challenge
Svalbard, the archipelago on top of the world in the Arctic Ocean, is increasingly a hotspot of geopolitical tensions.
Photo: Forsvaret
Photo: Forsvaret
From The Arctic Institute by Bart van der Wall, Researcher Strategic Foresight & Intelligence at the Clingendael Institute.
A swarm of drones intruding into Poland and fighter jets violating Estonian airspace; recent incidents demonstrate how Russia is escalating its aggression against NATO and its European allies in particular.
Understandably, much attention is now given to strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. 1)
However, allies should be equally wary of another challenge up north.
Silent geopolitical hotspot
Svalbard, the archipelago on top of the world in the Arctic Ocean, is increasingly becoming a hotspot of geopolitical tensions.
The international status of the archipelago was settled in the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. 2)
Norway’s conflict mitigation approach since then has been based on the assumption that Russia, despite its increasingly threatening diplomatic language and military posture, still seeks to maintain the status quo in the Arctic. 3)
In recent years, however, Russia has increasingly and openly challenged this status quo.
Through a surge in patriotic activities, escalating media narratives framing Norway as aggressor and with disinformation campaigns, Russia is fueling a dangerous narrative.
The Kremlin also increases diplomatic pressure on Norway by questioning the legal status of the islands.
Furthermore, a build-up of forces in the region, military exercises in the Barents Sea and covert operations targeting Svalbard all suggest that the Russian threat is as serious in the High North as it is on the Eastern flank.
While the Svalbard Treaty grants Norway “full and absolute” sovereignty over the archipelago, it puts severe limitations on Norway’s ability to exercise that sovereignty.
For example, article 9 of the Treaty forbids Norway to build any fortifications or naval bases on the islands for military purposes.
Additionally, the Treaty grants non-Norwegian citizens of the signatory countries free access to Svalbard and the right to engage in economic activities on the islands.
These concessions are reason for some scholars to consider the Treaty as a vassalage treaty, that forces Norway to act as a vassal state to the signatory powers. 4)
One power in particular has been assertive in exercising its right of access to Svalbard.
In 1927 the Soviet Union bought the town of Pyramiden, named after a pyramid-shaped mountain from which coal was mined.
Five years later the Russian company Arktikugol took over a second coal mine from the Dutch Spitsbergen Company along with a small settlement called Barentsburg.
Before 2022, a slight majority of residents in Barentsburg were Ukrainian, many of whom originally came from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Today, almost all Ukrainians have left town.
Some went to Longyearbyen or the Norwegian mainland, others returned to Ukraine to defend their homeland.
Through a surge in patriotic activities, escalating media narratives framing Norway as aggressor and with disinformation campaigns, Russia is fueling a dangerous narrative.
The Kremlin also increases diplomatic pressure on Norway by questioning the legal status of the islands.
Furthermore, a build-up of forces in the region, military exercises in the Barents Sea and covert operations targeting Svalbard all suggest that the Russian threat is as serious in the High North as it is on the Eastern flank.
While the Svalbard Treaty grants Norway “full and absolute” sovereignty over the archipelago, it puts severe limitations on Norway’s ability to exercise that sovereignty.
For example, article 9 of the Treaty forbids Norway to build any fortifications or naval bases on the islands for military purposes.
Additionally, the Treaty grants non-Norwegian citizens of the signatory countries free access to Svalbard and the right to engage in economic activities on the islands.
These concessions are reason for some scholars to consider the Treaty as a vassalage treaty, that forces Norway to act as a vassal state to the signatory powers. 4)
One power in particular has been assertive in exercising its right of access to Svalbard.
In 1927 the Soviet Union bought the town of Pyramiden, named after a pyramid-shaped mountain from which coal was mined.
Five years later the Russian company Arktikugol took over a second coal mine from the Dutch Spitsbergen Company along with a small settlement called Barentsburg.
Before 2022, a slight majority of residents in Barentsburg were Ukrainian, many of whom originally came from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Today, almost all Ukrainians have left town.
Some went to Longyearbyen or the Norwegian mainland, others returned to Ukraine to defend their homeland.
Russian patriotism
Tensions within the remaining community on Svalbard are running high.
A former Russian resident told the Barents Observer 5) that the war in Ukraine has turned Barentsburg into “some kind of grey closed and aggressive swamp.” Another resident describes how the last couple of years resentful sentiments have fostered among the Russian residents on Svalbard: “The people are angry.
One can now really observe people harden in real time.” Contacts between the Russian towns and the capital of Longyearbyen have also cooled down to a minimum.
“Every morning, I still send my readings and predictions to Barentsburg,” the meteorologist at Longyearbyen airport told Geographical, 6) but “I never get a reply.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Russian community on Svalbard appears to be radicalizing to dangerous levels.
Since the war, patriotic symbolism has been popping up everywhere.
In the harbor of Pyramiden, the Norwegian flag was taken down and replaced by the Soviet flag, dusting off a faded memory of the town’s glory days. 7) Meanwhile, a visiting Russian bishop together with the CEO of Arktikugol raised a giant Orthodox cross 8) on the mountainside, decorated in black and orange colors, the ones used to mark Russian military vehicles in Ukraine.
In Barentsburg, a militaristic parade was held to commemorate the Russian Victory Day for the first time with trucks, snowmobiles and even a helicopter, violating Norwegian regulations. 9) This parade, which did not take place on the islands before 2022, has become a recurring event that appears to be closely linked to the current Russian war effort in Ukraine. 10)
A recent discursive study 11) of Russian media narratives reveals that Russian media over recent years shifted its focus from emphasizing cooperation between Russia and Norway to highlighting negative developments, such as incidents between Russian fishing trawlers and the Norwegian Coast Guard.
Nostalgia about the Soviet past is also reinvoked while Norway is represented as a criminal and aggressive actor striving for complete control over the archipelago.
The study also highlights an alarming similarity between Russian narratives about Svalbard and those about Ukraine preluding the war.
Federal media frame Russia as a victim, accusing Norway of seriously violating the rights of Russian citizens on Svalbard.
This is accompanied by the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
For example, in 2023, Russian outlets reported that the United States was building a secret bio-lab on Bear Island 12) with the goal of unleashing a virus in Russia, echoing similar stories about American bio-labs in Ukraine.
Within this context of misinformation, it would be easy for the Kremlin to justify launching a special military operation on Svalbard under the guise of protecting Russian minorities, recycling the same narrative it used to justify its aggression against Ukraine.
Critical infrastructure
Historical and symbolic value is likely not the only reason behind Russia’s interest in Svalbard.
The archipelago’s geographical position makes it an incredibly valuable piece of land.
The archipelago is ideal for some types of scientific observations such as monitoring radioactivity. 13) More importantly, Svalbard is one of the few suitable locations to downlink data from satellites that orbit the Earth from pole to pole during every trip.
Therefore, Svalbard has become a central hub for critical satellite infrastructure.
SvalSat, Svalbard’s largest ground station, operates over 150 antennas on the islands, more than any other commercial station in the world.
Alternative locations in Greenland, Alaska or Antarctica offer less connectivity and are difficult to maintain due to harsher weather conditions. 14)
ESASvalsat is the largest commercial ground station on earth and the only viable location to downlink data from satellites at every orbit.In November 2021, Russia explicitly stated that it considered Norwegian satellite infrastructure on Svalbard a violation of the Svalbard Treaty due to its dual-use potential.
However, the scientific and military uses of satellite data are in practice difficult to separate and sit in a grey area.
For example, During the Iraq War, Svalbard ground stations contributed to American military missions by providing data on sandstorm forecasts. 15)
Furthermore, the United States Coast Guard uses the Svalsat ground station for its operations. 16)
Russia claims that downlinking this type of data on Svalbard is a violation of the Svalbard Treaty.
In January 2022, shortly before the invasion of Ukraine, one of the two fiber optic cables connecting Svalbard with mainland Norway suddenly lost its signal.
Suspicions of sabotage were raised immediately when it was revealed that Russian trawlers navigated over the cable around the time it was damaged.
However, authorities never found evidence of a human cause.
Since special equipment had to be shipped from Norway to repair the damage, it took 11 days before the connection was restored.
According to a Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) report, 17) if both cables had been cut, “most of the communication between Svalbard and the outside world would be lost.” Whether Russia was involved or not, the incident demonstrated Svalbard’s vulnerable position.
The opening salvo of Russia’s war against Ukraine did not consist of bullets: it started with a large scale cyber-attack on the KSAT satellite network, in which SvalSat acts as a central hub without which satellites are just “space junk” according to KSAT Ceo Rolf Skatteboe. 18)
In January 2022, shortly before the invasion of Ukraine, one of the two fiber optic cables connecting Svalbard with mainland Norway suddenly lost its signal.
Suspicions of sabotage were raised immediately when it was revealed that Russian trawlers navigated over the cable around the time it was damaged.
However, authorities never found evidence of a human cause.
Since special equipment had to be shipped from Norway to repair the damage, it took 11 days before the connection was restored.
According to a Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) report, 17) if both cables had been cut, “most of the communication between Svalbard and the outside world would be lost.” Whether Russia was involved or not, the incident demonstrated Svalbard’s vulnerable position.
The opening salvo of Russia’s war against Ukraine did not consist of bullets: it started with a large scale cyber-attack on the KSAT satellite network, in which SvalSat acts as a central hub without which satellites are just “space junk” according to KSAT Ceo Rolf Skatteboe. 18)
The cyber-attack not only disrupted the communications of the Ukrainian army, it also brought 5800 wind turbines in Germany to an abrupt halt because they used the same network. 19)
Modern satellites host a blend of military and civilian users, and dramatic disruptions can occur when critical infrastructure like that on Svalbard is sabotaged.
Military build-up
In addition to its satellite infrastructure, Svalbard is strategically important due to its proximity to two critical naval choke points, namely the Bear Gap, between Svalbard, Bear Island and the Norwegian mainland, and the GIUK-gap, between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.
These waterways connect the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic and formed crucial supply lines from North America to Europe during both World Wars.
Controlling Svalbard could allow Russia to deny NATO naval access to both gaps during a potential conflict and disrupt transatlantic movements. 20)
While the Svalbard Treaty prevents Norway from maintaining a security presence on the archipelago, Russia has mustered a significant military force merely 260 kilometers from Svalbard’s shores.
Nagurskoye air base is Russia’s northernmost military base, located on the Russian Frans Josef Land archipelago northeast of Svalbard.
Since 2015, Russia has been transforming the old Soviet base to increase its capabilities.
An extension of the runway was completed in 2020 so that the base can accommodate any military aircraft, including MiG-31 and Su-34 fighterjets and Il-76 heavy transporters.
Furthermore, Russia has stationed Bastion missile systems on the islands, the same system it used to launch hypersonic missiles against Ukraine. 21)
Nagurskoye has transformed from a seasonal military outpost to a base that is operational year-round, occasionally hosting Russia’s long-range bombers and serving as base camp for large-scale exercises.
The Russian navy has also increased its activities in the Barents Sea.
Since 2022, Russia announced a total of 30 NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen, official announcements that a military exercise or weapon test will take place) in the region.
A worrying trend can be observed in the geographical pattern of these events.
Whereas before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian northern sea and air exercises were largely focused on the Norwegian sea, after 2022, the location of exercises shifted to the Barents Sea.
This might indicate a change in political signaling, a lack of capacity and resources, or a change in geostrategic objectives.
In either case, there is clear evidence that Russian exercises are, more than before, taking place in the immediate surrounding of the Svalbard archipelago.
Since 2022, Russia announced a total of 30 NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen, official announcements that a military exercise or weapon test will take place) in the region.
A worrying trend can be observed in the geographical pattern of these events.
Whereas before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian northern sea and air exercises were largely focused on the Norwegian sea, after 2022, the location of exercises shifted to the Barents Sea.
This might indicate a change in political signaling, a lack of capacity and resources, or a change in geostrategic objectives.
In either case, there is clear evidence that Russian exercises are, more than before, taking place in the immediate surrounding of the Svalbard archipelago.
Areas in which Russian military exercises or weapon tests took place since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 22)Some reports suggest that the Zapad military exercise in 2017 included a simulation of an amphibious assault on Svalbard. 23)
In 2019, Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta claimed that it identified several Chechen members of the Spetsnaz, Russian special forces, on Instagram photos. 24)
However, Norwegian officials stressed that there was no evidence to validate this information.
In April 2020, the Russian military conducted an airborne landing exercise using paratroopers on Franz Josef Land. 25)
In April 2020, the Russian military conducted an airborne landing exercise using paratroopers on Franz Josef Land. 25)
A specialized unit, equipped with oxygen masks and gear to withstand the extreme cold, jumped out of an Il-76 transport aircraft from the staggering height of 10,000 meters.
This marked the first operation of its kind in Arctic conditions.
The paratroopers stayed on the island for 3 days before moving to their extraction point.
This marked the first operation of its kind in Arctic conditions.
The paratroopers stayed on the island for 3 days before moving to their extraction point.
The role of NATO
Russia has been challenging Norway’s sovereignty over Svalbard for years now, not only indirectly through domestic media and military exercises, but also directly through official channels.
In 2020, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov sent a threatening letter to his Norwegian counterpart, writing: “Svalbard was transferred to Norway under certain conditions.
In the last few years, Oslo has been practically violating the treaty’s provisions which set out specific obligations of Norwegian authorities in this regard.
Such an approach is inadmissible and we do not accept it.”
In December 2024, a spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry 26) warned that “Oslo and its allies are actually dragging Svalbard into the conflict in Ukraine” by suggesting that the islands fall under NATO’s responsibility.
She further described the archipelago as “a testing ground for dual-use products and technologies.” In March, Russian officials in a working meeting with the Norwegian ambassador repeated the claim that Norway was violating the Svalbard Treaty and thereby undermining “the international legal basis of the archipelago’s status.” 27)
This direct questioning of the legal status of Svalbard opposes the previously widely held belief that Russia is content with the status quo.
In contrast with other theaters, Russia has the means to take initiative against NATO in the High North.
In a RUSI paper, 28) Kaushal et al.
do not offer a positive outlook for a potential clash between NATO and Russian forces in the Arctic seas.
Their model predicts that NATO would sustain significant losses in the first stages, especially in a scenario in which NATO is forced to take on a reactive and defensive posture.
The authors conclude that “Russia can dominate all likely scenarios, including limited skirmishes,” thanks to the extensive anti-access area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, including both anti-air and anti-ship missile systems, that it has stationed in the Arctic region.
In contrast with other theaters, Russia has the means to take initiative against NATO in the High North.
In a RUSI paper, 28) Kaushal et al.
do not offer a positive outlook for a potential clash between NATO and Russian forces in the Arctic seas.
Their model predicts that NATO would sustain significant losses in the first stages, especially in a scenario in which NATO is forced to take on a reactive and defensive posture.
The authors conclude that “Russia can dominate all likely scenarios, including limited skirmishes,” thanks to the extensive anti-access area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, including both anti-air and anti-ship missile systems, that it has stationed in the Arctic region.
Testing the alliance
Norway’s response to the Russian challenge consists of a mixture of deterrence and reassurance. 29) Norway emphasizes that Svalbard falls under NATO’s Article 5 protection but treats the practical defense of the archipelago as a national responsibility to avoid provoking Russia.
However, the Russian threat stretches beyond Norwegian security.
While Svalbard might be geographically remote, in today’s interconnected world an assault on the islands would have far-reaching consequences for the entire alliance.
Critical infrastructure throughout Europe can be impacted if satellite connection on Svalbard is disrupted.
Secondly, Russian control over the islands would worsen NATO’s security situation on its Northern flank by serving as a base from which Russia could prevent allied ships from entering the critical GIUK- and Bear-gaps.
A successful Russian operation on Svalbard would pose a serious challenge to NATO’s political unity.
After the mixed signals coming from president Trump about his interest in European security, Putin might be looking to create a perfect storm for the Alliance.
If the Kremlin is truly set on further testing NATO’s resolve, launching a special military operation against Svalbard is a tempting way to do so.
The narrative of protecting Russian minorities is already in place.
The Russian military can execute an airborne landing from Nagurskoye base in a matter of hours.
Without armed forces stationed on Svalbard, and with the closest Norwegian base more than twice as far away, the invaders would face little initial resistance.
In an operation mirroring the annexation of Crimea, unmarked Russian special forces could take control of the archipelago before NATO can respond.
Norway and NATO would then find themselves confronted with a very difficult choice: escalate by launching a counterattack, with the risk of significant losses, or sit idle when a number of allies urge for diplomatic dialogue with Russia, greatly damaging the alliance’s deterrence.
References[−]
References↑1 NATO (2025) Strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, 23 October 2025, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_136388.htm. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑2 Alina Bykova (2024), Svalbard’s Extractive Economy: Past, Present, Future, The Arctic Institute, 25 June 2024, https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/svalbards-extractive-economy-past-present-future/. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑3,↑29 Bjørn Olav Knutsen (2024), War in Europe, but Still Low Tension in the High North? An Analysis of Norwegian Mitigation Strategies, Arctic Review on Law and Politics 15, 25-46, https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/5065/9614
↑4 R. Berg (2023), The Genesis of the Spitsbergen/Svalbard Treaty, in: Howkins, A., Roberts, P., eds. The Cambridge History of the Polar Regions, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
↑5 Thomas Nilsen (2023), Barentsburg: “Everyone was told to stop posting opinions about the war”, The Barents Observer, 11 May, https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/democracy-and-media/barentsburg-everyone-was-told-to-stop-posting-opinions-about-the-war/128194. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑6,↑7 Boštjan Videmšek (2024), Arctic geopolitics: the Red Flag flying in Svalbard, Geographical, 27 September, https://geographical.co.uk/geopolitics/arctic-geopolitics-the-red-flag-flying-in-svalbard. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑8 Thomas Nilsen (2023), Bishop Iyakov, who backs Putin’s war, raised giant cross at Svalbard without Norway’s knowledge, The Barent Observer, 12 August, https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/arctic/bishop-iyakov-who-backs-putins-war-raised-giant-cross-at-svalbard-without-norways-knowledge/118362. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑9 Elizaveta Vereykina (2024), We are not disputing this decision. The penalty will be paid”. Russian company fined for a helicopter flight on Svalbard, The Barents Observer, 7 February, https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/we-are-not-disputing-this-decision-the-penalty-will-be-paid-russian-company-fined-for-a-helicopter-flight-on-svalbard/111336. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑10 Thomas Nilsen (2025), Militarized memory: Kremlin-orchestrated ‘Immortal Regiment’ rally on Svalbard, The Barents Observer, 10 May, https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/militarized-memory-kremlinorchestrated-immortal-regiment-rally-on-svalbard/429583. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑11 Anna Obukhova (2024), Svalbard through the prism of Russian media: a discourse and cognitive perspective, The Arctic University of Norway, https://munin.uit.no/handle/10037/33510?locale-attribute=en. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑12 Ben Taub (2024), Russia’s Espionage War in the Arctic, The New Yorker, 9 September, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/16/russias-espionage-war-in-the-arctic. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑13 Astri Evardsen (2025), Norway to Monitor Airborne Radioactivity in Svalbard, High North News, 26 September, https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/norway-monitor-airborne-radioactivity-svalbard. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑14,↑15 Sarah Scoles (2025), A Powerhouse of Global Satellite Infrastructure: Norway?, Undark, 19 March, https://undark.org/2025/03/19/global-satellite-infrastructure-norway/. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑16,↑18 Gregory Falco, Nicolò Boschetti & Loannis Nikas (2024), Undercover Infrastructure: Dual-Use Arctic Satellite Ground Stations, Centre for International Governance Innovation, 8 April, https://www.cigionline.org/publications/undercover-infrastructure-dual-use-arctic-satellite-ground-stations/. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑17 Niels Nagelhus Schia, Ida Rødningen & Lars Gjesvik (2023), The subsea cable cut at Svalbard January 2022: What happened, what were the consequences, and how were they managed?, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 2 January. https://www.nupi.no/en/publications/cristin-pub/the-subsea-cable-cut-at-svalbard-january-2022-what-happened-what-were-the-consequences-and-how-were-they-managed. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑19 Christopher Tredger (2025), Space industry has direct impact on cyber security, crisis management, ITWeb, 15 April, https://www.itweb.co.za/article/space-industry-has-direct-impact-on-cyber-security-crisis-management/KA3WwqdzxKj7rydZ. Accessed on 20 October 2025
↑20 Andreas Østhagen, Otto Svendsen, & Max Bergmann (2023), Arctic Geopolitics: The Svalbard Archipelago, Center for Strategic & International Studies, 14 September, https://www.csis.org/analysis/arctic-geopolitics-svalbard-archipelago. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑21 Sofiia Syngaivska (2024), Ukrainian Intelligence Is Seeking Crucial Details about the Bastion System in Crimea, Defense Express, 10 April https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_intelligence_is_seeking_crucial_details_about_the_bastion_system_in_crimea-10124.html. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑22 Kristian Åtland, Thomas Nilsen, Torbjørn Pedersen (2024), Bolstering the Bastion: The Changing Pattern of Russia’s Military Exercises in the High North, Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies 7(1), 145-160, https://sjms.nu/articles/280/files/66eabbbf27caa.pdf
↑23 Harri Mikkola (2019), The Geostrategic Arctic: Hard Security in the High North, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, April, https://fiia.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/bp259_geostrategic_arctic.pdf. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑24 Sergey Sukhankin (2019), Russian Spetsnaz in Norway: ‘Fake News’ Versus Facts, The Jamestown Foundation, 9 October, https://jamestown.org/program/russian-spetsnaz-in-norway-fake-news-versus-facts/. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑25 Malte Humpert (2020), Russian Paratroopers Perform First-Ever High Altitude Jump Over Arctic, High North News, 27 April, https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/russian-paratroopers-perform-first-ever-high-altitude-jump-over-arctic-0. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑26 Oslo by its actions may involve Spitsbergen in Ukrainian conflict — diplomat, TASS, 18 December 2024, https://tass.com/politics/1889119. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑27 Russia voices concern over militarization of Svalbard to Norway’s envoy — Foreign Ministry, TASS, 14 March 2025, https://tass.com/politics/1928209. Accessed on 27 October 2025
↑28 Sidharth Kaushal, et al. (2022) The Balance of Power Between Russia and NATO in the Arctic and High North, Royal United Services Institute, 12 April, https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/whitehall-papers/balance-power-between-russia-and-nato-arctic-and-high-north. Accessed on 27 October 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025
The story behind the fastest yacht in the world
Images courtesy of Victory Design and Ocean Independence
From Boat International by Emily Dawkins
Forget everything you thought you knew about superyacht performance: Bolide 80 isn’t just fast, she's dubbed “the fastest superyacht in the world", with top speeds of 73 knots.
Following the news of her recent price drop, Emily Dawkins takes a closer look at how this record-breaking yacht for sale was built and the surprising features that set her apart...
With a name that means "fireball" in Italian and "racing car" in French, Bolide 80 certainly lives up to its name.
A fusion of pioneering engineering and lean Italian design, packed into a 24.9-metre hull, this "fireball" of a motor yacht was created from a desire to redefine what's possible at sea.
"The idea for Bolide 80 came from an experienced owner who was fed up with the small 'toy' boats which can reach high speeds but ultimately lack comfort," explained Victory Marine founder, Brunello Acampora, who, alongside the Victory Design team, was the brains behind Bolide 80's design, engineering and build.
"He wanted something safe and comfortable, as well as something efficient in terms of fuel consumption. And so that's exactly what we did."
Forget everything you thought you knew about superyacht performance: Bolide 80 isn’t just fast, she's dubbed “the fastest superyacht in the world", with top speeds of 73 knots.
Following the news of her recent price drop, Emily Dawkins takes a closer look at how this record-breaking yacht for sale was built and the surprising features that set her apart...
With a name that means "fireball" in Italian and "racing car" in French, Bolide 80 certainly lives up to its name.
A fusion of pioneering engineering and lean Italian design, packed into a 24.9-metre hull, this "fireball" of a motor yacht was created from a desire to redefine what's possible at sea.
"The idea for Bolide 80 came from an experienced owner who was fed up with the small 'toy' boats which can reach high speeds but ultimately lack comfort," explained Victory Marine founder, Brunello Acampora, who, alongside the Victory Design team, was the brains behind Bolide 80's design, engineering and build.
"He wanted something safe and comfortable, as well as something efficient in terms of fuel consumption. And so that's exactly what we did."
"We've been designing and following the construction of fast power boats for over 35 years: we come from the racing world", continued Acampora, whose company has long been at the forefront of yacht design and marine engineering.
"We've recently completed all of the naval architecture, engineering and production for the Seabird E1 electric racer - so we're firm believers of blending style with technology."
Bolide 80 is described as a "hyper muscle yacht" – a title never seen before in the yachting industry – called as such for her aerodynamic low profile and lightweight build, which was completed entirely in carbon fibre.
"We've recently completed all of the naval architecture, engineering and production for the Seabird E1 electric racer - so we're firm believers of blending style with technology."
Bolide 80 is described as a "hyper muscle yacht" – a title never seen before in the yachting industry – called as such for her aerodynamic low profile and lightweight build, which was completed entirely in carbon fibre.
BOATPro key facts
Length: 24.9m
Builder: Bolide Yachts of Victory Marine
Exterior designers: Brunello Acampora, Victory Design
Naval architects: Brunello Acampora, Victory Design
Interior designer: Stefano Faggioni, in collaboration with Victory Design
Beam: 5m
Draft: 0.9m
For sale, asking: €6,950,000 with Ocean Independence
A multi-stepped planing hull also adds to her prowess – a feature specifically designed to reduce drag and increase speed and fuel efficiency – with her hardtop also specifically tailored to reduce wind resistance.
"From the first sketches, we knew that she was going to have the world's largest stepped hull.
But because of this, it meant that Bolide 80 couldn't be powered by water jets - although they'd never be able to beat surface propulsion in terms of efficiency anyway."
"From the first sketches, we knew that she was going to have the world's largest stepped hull.
But because of this, it meant that Bolide 80 couldn't be powered by water jets - although they'd never be able to beat surface propulsion in terms of efficiency anyway."
While they could have designed a more efficient boat with twin diesel engines, the design team instead worked around "a modern diesel package with the best power-to-weight ratio" to give her her speed.
Bolide 80 has a tried and tested 73-knot maximum speed.
However, when launched in 2023, the designer revealed that she actually reached speeds above this.
"To put the record right, Bolide 80 hit a consistent 76-knot top speed on her sea trials" - a speed which on land amounts to more than 84mph.
"We wanted to set a record [for her top speed], but mostly we wanted to make such an exercise meaningful from a scientific viewpoint and set the standards of speed in yachting a little higher for the industry."
Bolide 80 has a tried and tested 73-knot maximum speed.
However, when launched in 2023, the designer revealed that she actually reached speeds above this.
"To put the record right, Bolide 80 hit a consistent 76-knot top speed on her sea trials" - a speed which on land amounts to more than 84mph.
"We wanted to set a record [for her top speed], but mostly we wanted to make such an exercise meaningful from a scientific viewpoint and set the standards of speed in yachting a little higher for the industry."
Triple 2,000hp 12V MAN diesel engines give the motor yacht her power, boasting a total of 6,000hp to get her to that maximum speed.
Even her cruising speed alone is 55 knots, with a "relatively low fuel consumption", and at a 45-knot speed she offers a 600-nautical-mile range.
However, despite her superyacht size and speed, her listing broker, Adam Sutton of Ocean Independence, noted that she still demonstrates exceptional fuel efficiency, hitting the nail on the head in terms of the original owner's brief.
“She uses about 30% of what a similarly sized boat would use for the same distance.
Impressively, she’s able to go further in the same amount of time while using less fuel doing so”.
However, it's not just the number of knots she can reach which wins people's attention.
Judges at last year's Design & Innovation Awards praised Bolide 80's cohesive all-carbon structure, its subtle nods to iconic car design and the strong continuity between her trim exterior and striking interior.
Despite being the smallest entrant to the category, amongst other innovative and accomplished designs, Bolide 80 delivered the most powerful impression to the panel and, as a result, took home the award for "Outstanding Exterior Design - Motor Yachts, 24m to 39.9m".
"We designed the entire project to be oriented towards minimalism, but it's also more to do with futurism," explained Acampora.
"The idea was to restore faith in technology and the human capability of shaping its own future.
We strongly believe that we can steer our future through technology, and Bolide 80 – in an era of displacement boats and shy performance yachts – is one of the yachts which does so."
Judges at last year's Design & Innovation Awards praised Bolide 80's cohesive all-carbon structure, its subtle nods to iconic car design and the strong continuity between her trim exterior and striking interior.
Despite being the smallest entrant to the category, amongst other innovative and accomplished designs, Bolide 80 delivered the most powerful impression to the panel and, as a result, took home the award for "Outstanding Exterior Design - Motor Yachts, 24m to 39.9m".
"We designed the entire project to be oriented towards minimalism, but it's also more to do with futurism," explained Acampora.
"The idea was to restore faith in technology and the human capability of shaping its own future.
We strongly believe that we can steer our future through technology, and Bolide 80 – in an era of displacement boats and shy performance yachts – is one of the yachts which does so."
Out front, a sunpad sweeps the elongated foredeck for undisturbed sunbathing when at anchor.
To aft is another sunpad, in prime position behind fitted sofas and the triple-seated helm station, which looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
"One thing that people forget about - you look at all the photos and you almost kind of lose a sense of scale of how big Bolide 80 really is", added Sutton.
"She looks like a 40ft boat, but in reality she’s 24.9 metres and the sheer size of her is impressive!"
To match Bolide 80's bold top speeds, an equally as statement interior was required.
Renowned Italian designer Stefano Faggioni, in collaboration with Victory Design, used punchy orange ceilings and matching hand-stitched leather seating to bring the inside of Bolide 80 to life.
Even the leather itself, Acampora shared, "comes from the same guys doing the Ferrari interiors" - channelling her race car DNA further.
Other plush materials used on board include rich marbles and silk, in addition to fabrics by Loro Piana.
Despite futurism at its core, the yacht is still backed by classical features (albeit with a modern twist), with Faggioni well versed in traditional wooden boat design.
"You might have noticed the exposed structural carbon fibre frames in the main saloon.
The idea came from the original J Class boats with their wooden beams and exposed internal structure.
We wanted her owner to enjoy the beautiful carbon construction from inside, while performance-wise, reducing Bolide's structural weight."
And that's not the only classical inspiration; small seed bags for glassware shock absorption, often found in the racing sailing yachts of previous centuries, have been swapped for modern foam, stored within custom shock-absorbing compartments.
"You might have noticed the exposed structural carbon fibre frames in the main saloon.
The idea came from the original J Class boats with their wooden beams and exposed internal structure.
We wanted her owner to enjoy the beautiful carbon construction from inside, while performance-wise, reducing Bolide's structural weight."
And that's not the only classical inspiration; small seed bags for glassware shock absorption, often found in the racing sailing yachts of previous centuries, have been swapped for modern foam, stored within custom shock-absorbing compartments.
Although just above the superyacht territory (in terms of length), Bolide 80 is surprisingly spacious within.
Accommodation-wise, she can cater for up to four guests across a flexible cabin layout.
A double owner's cabin located forward is accessed via a "vestibule" that also doubles as the wardrobe.
Aft, there is a "children's cabin" to starboard, which can be used for crew or guests (called the "secret" cabin by Acampora), and a dedicated crew cabin to port.
Other interior highlights at the request of the owner include full air-conditioning to allow him to work contentedly below deck, alongside a large kitchen and open-plan saloon.
There is space on board for a crew of two (or three if required), but according to Acampora, "she's the type of boat that you can take out on your own if you really want" - adhering to strict handling rules, thanks to her length at the waterline lying just below 24 metres.
Accommodation-wise, she can cater for up to four guests across a flexible cabin layout.
A double owner's cabin located forward is accessed via a "vestibule" that also doubles as the wardrobe.
Aft, there is a "children's cabin" to starboard, which can be used for crew or guests (called the "secret" cabin by Acampora), and a dedicated crew cabin to port.
Other interior highlights at the request of the owner include full air-conditioning to allow him to work contentedly below deck, alongside a large kitchen and open-plan saloon.
There is space on board for a crew of two (or three if required), but according to Acampora, "she's the type of boat that you can take out on your own if you really want" - adhering to strict handling rules, thanks to her length at the waterline lying just below 24 metres.
So who is best suited to be Bolide 80's next owner? “Ultimately, I see the Bolide 80 appealing to an owner who has an interest in speed and engineering, namely because of all of the onboard technology and the engines: you’re going to have a petrol head!" said Sutton.
"She is also great for someone who is time-poor", he adds.
"You don’t get the slow and relaxing sailing time; instead, she’ll get you from Ibiza to Palma [de Mallorca] within a couple of hours, rather than half a day.”
With punchy speed, slender design and an interior to match, there's no doubt that Bolide 80 will make her next owner very happy indeed.
"She is also great for someone who is time-poor", he adds.
"You don’t get the slow and relaxing sailing time; instead, she’ll get you from Ibiza to Palma [de Mallorca] within a couple of hours, rather than half a day.”
With punchy speed, slender design and an interior to match, there's no doubt that Bolide 80 will make her next owner very happy indeed.
Links :
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
10 of the most destructive tsunamis of all time
From HistoryDefined by Carl Seaver
A tsunami is one of the greatest and most potent natural disasters known to man.
A tsunami is one of the greatest and most potent natural disasters known to man.
While several things can cause a tsunami, the result is always, quite literally, a tidal wave of disaster.
Tsunamis have been around since the beginning of time, but the first recorded occurrence was in 2000 BC off the coast of Syria.
Tsunamis have been around since the beginning of time, but the first recorded occurrence was in 2000 BC off the coast of Syria.
Since then, tsunamis have been documented worldwide but occur most frequently along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
What Exactly is a Tsunami?
A tsunami is a truly frightening force of nature. Essentially, it’s a giant wave or series of waves that come from the ocean or the sea.
A tsunami is a truly frightening force of nature. Essentially, it’s a giant wave or series of waves that come from the ocean or the sea.
In most cases, tsunamis result from massive underwater turbulence caused by an earthquake or a volcano.
Tsunamis are so destructive because of how big and fast they’re moving.
Tsunamis are so destructive because of how big and fast they’re moving.
A single tsunami wave can be over 1,000 feet tall, 12 miles wide, and move at speeds of up to 500 mph as it reaches land.
Because of the sheer size and speed of these waves, they can cause extensive damage along the coast and flooding up to a mile inland.
Because of the sheer size and speed of these waves, they can cause extensive damage along the coast and flooding up to a mile inland.
However, it all depends on the wave’s size and speed, as most tsunamis don’t grow taller than 30 or 40 feet.
10 of the Largest and Most Destructive Tsunamis in History
Without further ado, let’s dive into the largest and most destructive tsunamis of all time.
Sumatra, Indonesia – 2004
No matter who you ask, the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Sumatra, Indonesia, is often considered the worst tsunami of all time.
The destruction began on December 26, just one day after Christmas, when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra in the Pacific Ocean.
The resulting tsunami from this earthquake created waves more than 160 feet tall that swept over 3 miles inland.
Although the Sumatra tsunami wasn’t the largest tsunami wave ever, it was by far the most destructive. It claimed the lives of an estimated 230,000 people, injured 225,000 more, and caused more than $10 billion in damage.
10 of the Largest and Most Destructive Tsunamis in History
Without further ado, let’s dive into the largest and most destructive tsunamis of all time.
Sumatra, Indonesia – 2004
No matter who you ask, the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Sumatra, Indonesia, is often considered the worst tsunami of all time.
The destruction began on December 26, just one day after Christmas, when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra in the Pacific Ocean.
The resulting tsunami from this earthquake created waves more than 160 feet tall that swept over 3 miles inland.
Although the Sumatra tsunami wasn’t the largest tsunami wave ever, it was by far the most destructive. It claimed the lives of an estimated 230,000 people, injured 225,000 more, and caused more than $10 billion in damage.
North Pacific Coast, Japan – 2011
The Great Sendai Earthquake and Tsunami, as the disaster has come to be known, takes the number two spot on our list for several reasons:It’s the most recent major tsunami to occur.
It was the costliest and one of the most destructive tsunamis ever and had a sizeable death toll.
It could have resulted in the worst nuclear disaster since Chornobyl.
The Great Sendai Earthquake and ensuing tsunami occurred off the coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu, on March 11, 2011.
Sendai after the tsunamiThe tsunami was set off by a 9.0 magnitude underwater earthquake that resulted in waves more than 130 feet tall traveling at a speed of 500 mph.
The result was the destruction of entire towns and cities.
This tsunami claimed the lives of an estimated 18,000 people, left half a million homeless, and caused more than $235 billion of damage.
In addition, its proximity to several nuclear power plants along the Japanese coast nearly resulted in a catastrophic nuclear event.
This tsunami claimed the lives of an estimated 18,000 people, left half a million homeless, and caused more than $235 billion of damage.
In addition, its proximity to several nuclear power plants along the Japanese coast nearly resulted in a catastrophic nuclear event.
Lituya Bay, Alaska – 1958
In terms of sheer size, the Lituya Bay tsunami is by far the largest megatsunami ever recorded in history.
Yet, despite this, there’s also a good chance you’ve never heard of this disaster.
That’s because it happened in 1958 along the mostly uninhabited coastline of southeastern Alaska in a small fjord known as Lituya Bay.
The tsunami was generated by a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that resulted in more than 90 million tons of rock and debris getting dumped into Lituya bay.
This created the largest tsunami wave in history, measuring 1,720 feet tall.
That’s because it happened in 1958 along the mostly uninhabited coastline of southeastern Alaska in a small fjord known as Lituya Bay.
The tsunami was generated by a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that resulted in more than 90 million tons of rock and debris getting dumped into Lituya bay.
This created the largest tsunami wave in history, measuring 1,720 feet tall.
However, because the tsunami only killed five people and caused minor damage, it didn’t gain much notoriety.
Lituya bay after the tsunamiLisbon, Portugal – 1755
The tremendous Portuguese tsunami of 1755 happened on All Saints Day and was the most destructive tsunami in recorded history up to that point
The tsunami was created by a series of 8.0+ magnitude earthquakes
These earthquakes resulted in not one but three separate tsunami waves that hit various port cities in Portugal, but none were as destructive as the one that hit Lisbon.
The wave that hit Lisbon was around 100 feet tall and one of the widest in recorded history, as it affected cities hundreds of miles along the coast.
In Lisbon alone, however, the death toll was 60,000, and the destruction was unimaginable.
Krakatau, Indonesia – 1883
While the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia was the most destructive of all time, it wasn’t the first major tsunami to hit the country.
Instead, that honor goes to the Krakatau tsunami of 1883.
However, unlike the other tsunamis on this list, the Krakatau tsunami happened due to a volcanic eruption.
Regardless of the cause, this tsunami was highly destructive as it claimed an estimated 40,000 lives and injured 30,000 more.
Regardless of the cause, this tsunami was highly destructive as it claimed an estimated 40,000 lives and injured 30,000 more.
It also measured more than 120 feet tall and is considered the most violent volcanic tsunami in history.
Krakatu eruption
Enshunada Sea, Japan – 1498
The Enshunada Sea tsunami of 1498 is the oldest recorded tsunami on our list.
It happened on the morning of September 20 and affected the coastal cities of Kii, Sagami, Izu, Surugu, and Mikawa.
Although the exact magnitude of the earthquake that caused the tsunami isn’t fully known, most experts place it at 8.3.
We also don’t know how tall or wide the resulting tsunami wave was.
Although the exact magnitude of the earthquake that caused the tsunami isn’t fully known, most experts place it at 8.3.
We also don’t know how tall or wide the resulting tsunami wave was.
What we do know, however, is that it killed more than 30,000 people and left thousands more injured and homeless.
Nankaido, Japan – 1707
Keeping to the trend of destructive Japanese tsunamis, let’s look at number seven on our list, the Nankaido tsunami of 1707.
Keeping to the trend of destructive Japanese tsunamis, let’s look at number seven on our list, the Nankaido tsunami of 1707.
Unfortunately, while we know more about this tsunami than the one in 1498, the facts are somewhat messy and skewed.
We know that the tsunami wave was nearly 100 feet tall and happened as a result of an 8.4 magnitude earthquake.
We also know that more than 30,000 people died, a similar number of buildings were destroyed, and dozens of ensuing waves washed inland for miles.
We know that the tsunami wave was nearly 100 feet tall and happened as a result of an 8.4 magnitude earthquake.
We also know that more than 30,000 people died, a similar number of buildings were destroyed, and dozens of ensuing waves washed inland for miles.
Southern Chile, South America 1960
Our next tsunami takes us to South America off the coast of Chile.
In 1960, the largest earthquake ever recorded, a 9.5 magnitude earth-shaker, happened in southern Chile and was strong enough to have a global impact.
While the quake did plenty of damage, it also created a tsunami wave measuring up to 80 feet tall in some areas.
While the quake did plenty of damage, it also created a tsunami wave measuring up to 80 feet tall in some areas.
This wave killed roughly 140 people and left more than 2 million Chileans homeless.
Messina, Italy – 1908
The earthquake and tsunami in Messina, Italy, of 1908 weren’t necessarily the biggest to ever occur, but it was one of the worst double disasters in modern history.
It all started when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Straight of Messina, resulting in tsunami waves up to 40 feet tall.
Because the earthquake and tsunami happened in the wee hours of the morning, most people were still in bed and completely unprepared.
As a result, more than 80,000 people perished in the double disaster, and hundreds of thousands were forced to relocate.
The earthquake and tsunami nearly destroyed more than a dozen cities in the area, including Messina and Reggio de Calabria.
Mount St. Helens, Washington – 1980
The final entry on our list hits closer to home than any other tsunami in recorded history.
The volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington was one of the most shocking and frightening natural disasters to hit the United States in the last 50 years. It also led to one of the most unique and largest tsunamis ever recorded.
When Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, a large chunk of the volcano broke off into nearby Spirit Lake. This resulted in a tsunami wave exceeding 800 feet tall that hammered into the side of Mount Margaret. Although no one was killed in the tsunami, it is one of the tallest tsunamis in history.
Links :
- Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 – Aftermath of the disaster | Britannica
- Lisbon earthquake of 1755 | Portugal | Britannica
- 10 Most Catastrophic Tsunamis in Modern History – The Borgen Project
- Messina earthquake and tsunami of 1908 | Italy | Britannica
- The 10 most destructive tsunamis in history (australiangeographic.com.au)
- 10 Biggest Tsunamis In History (dreamcivil.com)
- The Biggest Tsunamis Ever Recorded | Mental Floss
- Worldwide Tsunamis Introduction | NCEI (noaa.gov)
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Royal Navy unveils new Atlantic strategy to counter Russian threat
From BBC by Paul Adams
In the dark waters off the west coast of Scotland, a slender submarine glider, like a torpedo with wings, slips under the surface and quickly disappears off into the murk.
The SG-1 Fathom is on the prowl for intruders.
The SG-1 Fathom monitors the water, using its sensors to gather information
"The glider patrols through the depths of the ocean monitoring and listening for adversaries that might be in the area," says Fathom's programme manager Katie Raine.
Adversaries like Russian submarines operating covertly in or near British waters, suspected of working with spy ships to map the UK's vital undersea cables and pipelines.
Fathom, made by the German defence company Helsing and now being trialled by the Royal Navy, moves silently, its sensors constantly gathering information.
It's designed to patrol for months on end, working autonomously with dozens of other gliders, using software trained on decades of acoustic data.
"The glider processes and identifies threats more quickly than we've been able to do previously," Raine says.
If it proves effective, Fathom will likely form part of Atlantic Bastion, a network of drones, warships and surveillance aircraft aimed at protecting vital undersea infrastructure.
Adversaries like Russian submarines operating covertly in or near British waters, suspected of working with spy ships to map the UK's vital undersea cables and pipelines.
Fathom, made by the German defence company Helsing and now being trialled by the Royal Navy, moves silently, its sensors constantly gathering information.
It's designed to patrol for months on end, working autonomously with dozens of other gliders, using software trained on decades of acoustic data.
"The glider processes and identifies threats more quickly than we've been able to do previously," Raine says.
If it proves effective, Fathom will likely form part of Atlantic Bastion, a network of drones, warships and surveillance aircraft aimed at protecting vital undersea infrastructure.
The Atlantic Bastion programme is a network of drones, warships and surveillance aircraft designed to protect undersea infrastructure
The Ministry of Defence, which is unveiling elements of Atlantic Bastion on Monday, said in a statement that the programme was "in direct response to the resurgence in Russian submarine and underwater activity".
The government says there has been a 30% increase in the number of Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the last two years.
Russia says its the UK government that's being provocative.
In September, the parliamentary National Security Strategy Committee said it was "not confident" the UK was equipped to protect its undersea cables, warning that an attack could cause "catastrophic disruption" to vital financial and communications systems.
In September, the parliamentary National Security Strategy Committee said it was "not confident" the UK was equipped to protect its undersea cables, warning that an attack could cause "catastrophic disruption" to vital financial and communications systems.
A thermal image of the Yantar taken off the coast of the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom Ministry of Defense Photo.
Defence Secretary John Healey called the action "deeply dangerous", saying the Yantar had repeatedly crossed in and out of the UK's exclusive economic zone.
Helsing
On a visit to Portsmouth last week, Healey stressed the government's investment in new technology to combat the threat was vital.
"This is about keeping us ahead of the Russians," he told me aboard the XV Patrick Blackett, the Royal Navy's experimental ship used as a testbed for new technologies.
Some of those new technologies were on display, from a remote-controlled speedboat, zipping about in the harbour, to a mock-up of Proteus, the navy's first pilotless helicopter.
On the dock above us loomed the black hull of Excalibur, a 12-metre-long, 19-tonne unmanned submarine, first launched earlier this year.
"We know the threat that Russia poses," Healey said. "We track what their ships do. We track what their submarines are doing.
"We know that they are mapping our undersea cables and our networks and our pipelines, and we know that they are developing new capabilities all the time to put those at risk."
Accompanied by his Norwegian counterpart Tore O Sandvik as the two countries signed a defence pact - the Lunna House Agreement - to work together to hunt Russian submarines and protect underwater infrastructure, Healey said time was of the essence.
"It's a rapidly evolving threat and that's why it requires a rapid response from the UK."
It's a daunting challenge for the man charged with supervising Britain's response, the First Sea Lord Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
So how does the UK keep up with an opponent who hasn't declared war but is investing heavily and behaving increasingly aggressively through increasingly complex means?
"Despite the cost of the war in Ukraine to [Russia], they continue to put hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of investment into their submarine fleet," he said.
"We're still ahead in the Atlantic, but it's not by as much of an advantage as I would like. We're being pressed, and we're definitely in the competition to stay ahead of where the Russians are."
Others are less optimistic.
Prof Peter Roberts, an expert on contemporary conflict at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), says the Royal Navy's new strategy looks fine on paper but "feels like putting lipstick on a pig".
He argues the UK has "neglected" its post-World War Two responsibility to be the guardian of the western Atlantic, and now the Royal Navy is "trying to find a way to look credible" in addressing a threat that has been "steadily increasing for the past 20 years... but still ignored by the government and Navy".
"The Royal Navy does not have the ships to do this job coherently or credibly and is looking to address it with drones as they are cheaper and can provide coverage of the geographical areas for which the Royal Navy is responsible in lieu of new ships," Prof Roberts adds.
"Russia so far is going unchallenged in much of UK water space and this strategy is playing catch up long after the fact."
Russia says it's Britain that's being provocative, even hysterical.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a news briefing in Moscow that the Lunna House Agreement was being used to justify "monitoring Russian naval activity" and risked "provoking unnecessary conflicts" in international waters.
But the military says it's clear-eyed about the dangers.
And it's working closely with industry to address them.
Links :
- United24media : Britain’s New Underwater Hunt Begins—and Moscow Is the Target
- Janes : Helsing to produce SG-1 Fathom underwater glider at UK Resilience Factory
- UK Defense Journal : Royal Navy will trial SG-1 drone subs under Atlantic Bastion
- NavalNews : Royal Navy Responds to Russian Spy Ship Entering British Waters
Monday, December 8, 2025
Research center will enable 6 people to live 6,560 feet underwater for 30 days
From Earth by Jordan Joseph
China has begun building an underwater research center in Guangzhou that pairs a crewed seafloor lab with a land-based simulator.
Their plan focuses on long stays in the deep ocean so scientists can watch natural changes unfold in real time.
At a depth near 6,560 feet, the mission profile allows a six person crew to remain underwater for up to 30 days.
At a depth near 6,560 feet, the mission profile allows a six person crew to remain underwater for up to 30 days.
That single figure hints at what this project is really about, time.
Why cold seeps matter
A cold seep, seafloor lab – where methane and other gases leak and feed microbes – is the project’s core target.
These places host food webs that run on chemistry rather than sunlight.
These oases run on chemosynthesis, the process where organisms use chemical energy to make food. That pathway fuels tube worms, mussels, and a menagerie of microbes.
The work is led by Li Chaolun at the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO).
These oases run on chemosynthesis, the process where organisms use chemical energy to make food. That pathway fuels tube worms, mussels, and a menagerie of microbes.
The work is led by Li Chaolun at the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO).
His research centers on deep sea ecology and environmental change.
Scientists also watch hydrate, a methane rich ice-like solid that forms under pressure and cold temperatures.
Scientists also watch hydrate, a methane rich ice-like solid that forms under pressure and cold temperatures.
It occurs in seafloor sediments and often neighbors cold seeps.
How the seafloor lab will work
Crews will run in situ, in the original place under natural conditions, experiments inside a pressure safe habitat.
They will monitor chemistry and biology with cameras, mass spectrometers, and samplers that never leave the deep.
The design links the seafloor lab to a land simulator, which mirrors key conditions topside.
The design links the seafloor lab to a land simulator, which mirrors key conditions topside.
This pairing lets teams replay the same events under controlled settings without waiting for the next expedition.
“This is a project designed to deepen our understanding of deep sea science through the study of cold seep systems in the South China Sea,” said Chaolun.
He described an internationally open program built to answer environmental and biological questions that require time at depth.
China’s teams have already practiced long watchkeeping with a corrosion resistant observation platform deployed in a South China Sea cold seep for 1,070 cumulative days.
That experience showed the value of continuous video and chemical data for tracking slow shifts in deep habitats.
“This is a project designed to deepen our understanding of deep sea science through the study of cold seep systems in the South China Sea,” said Chaolun.
He described an internationally open program built to answer environmental and biological questions that require time at depth.
China’s teams have already practiced long watchkeeping with a corrosion resistant observation platform deployed in a South China Sea cold seep for 1,070 cumulative days.
That experience showed the value of continuous video and chemical data for tracking slow shifts in deep habitats.
What scientists hope to learn
Researchers hope to place more compact chemical sensors on future missions that can stay in place for months.
These tools could track changes in methane, oxygen, and minerals with better accuracy than current hardware allows.
Teams are also considering robotic helpers that can operate near the habitat and extend its reach.
Those machines would handle tasks that require long hours outside the structure, giving crews more time for analysis.
The first task is to map how methane moves from the seafloor into the water and who eats it along the way. That includes methanotrophs, bacteria that gain energy by consuming methane and shaping carbon flow.
Researchers also want to watch community shifts after small, natural pulses of gas or mineral rich fluids. With people on site, experiments can start within minutes rather than days.
Another goal is to test how seep chemistry influences nitrogen and sulfur cycling across time.
The first task is to map how methane moves from the seafloor into the water and who eats it along the way. That includes methanotrophs, bacteria that gain energy by consuming methane and shaping carbon flow.
Researchers also want to watch community shifts after small, natural pulses of gas or mineral rich fluids. With people on site, experiments can start within minutes rather than days.
Another goal is to test how seep chemistry influences nitrogen and sulfur cycling across time.
Those results can sharpen models that predict when and where bursts of activity will appear.
Expanding future research paths
Scientists plan to link the new observations with long term data from earlier survey lines to see how seep activity changes across wider regions.
They hope the combined record will give them a clearer sense of how deep seachemistry shifts over months and years.
Teams also want to test new tools that can sample fragile microbes without disturbing their structure. These trials could guide the design of future probes for other deep habitats.
Life support at these depths must manage hydrostatic pressure, pressure from the weight of overlying water.
Every seal, hatch, and cable path faces stress that would crush ordinary hardware.
Teams will also manage confined living and limited emergency options.
Teams will also manage confined living and limited emergency options.
Redundant systems and strict checklists are the quiet heroes that make a month underwater both possible and safe.
Why this seafloor lab matters
Better instruments, tougher materials, and reliable data links proven here can improve offshore work in energy, cables, and environmental monitoring.
The same sensors that track methane could check leaks or verify cleanup.
The facility also creates a training pipeline for engineers, biologists, and pilots who will shape the next decade of ocean work.
The wider public gains clear, long form observations that turn distant deep sea life into measurable evidence.
Links :
Sunday, December 7, 2025
GEBCO 2025 : Seabed 2030 announces millions of square kilometers of new seafloor data
New version of GEBCO bathymetric grid available to download
Mapped seafloor is shown in blue, with red indicating new bathymetric data added in the last year. (Image credit: Seabed 2030)
Territorial claims by sovereign states in the Southern Ocean are not considered EEZ.
The depth zones are based on GEBCO_2024 bathymetry grid.
Bivariate map showing the proportion of total area mapped by direct method and total area of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for each nation.
Both the total EEZ area and proportion of mapping is classified by equal interval method.
Links :
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Friday, December 5, 2025
Octopuses use their arms to sense and respond to microbiomes on the seafloor
The California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides).
Photo by Anik Grearson.
Photo by Anik Grearson.
From Mongabay by Pepper St. Clair
Octopus suckers can sense and react to microbiomes in their environment.
Distinct microbial populations on objects relevant to the octopus’s survival, like eggs and prey, inform the animal’s behavior.
Scientists found that in response to different microbial signals, chemotactile receptors trigger reflexive responses in octopus suckers and arms.
From the beginning of life on Earth, microbes, small but influential single-celled organisms, have shaped the environment that animals must adapt to in order to survive.
Distinct microbial populations, known as microbiomes, inhabit nearly every surface on Earth.
Now scientists have found that octopuses can detect signals from the microbiomes they encounter, revealing one of the ways these cephalopods navigate their environment.
Humans can also detect signs of microbial activity, such as when we smell that meat has gone bad or milk has spoiled.
But we can’t sense those microbes by touch.
Octopuses, on the other hand, touch and taste the world with their arms, which collectively have more neurons than their central brain. Those arms are also lined with chemotactile receptors, which enable them to reflexively react to specific chemical signals from microbiomes as they explore their environment, according to research published recently in Cell.
Octopus suckers can sense and react to microbiomes in their environment.
Distinct microbial populations on objects relevant to the octopus’s survival, like eggs and prey, inform the animal’s behavior.
Scientists found that in response to different microbial signals, chemotactile receptors trigger reflexive responses in octopus suckers and arms.
From the beginning of life on Earth, microbes, small but influential single-celled organisms, have shaped the environment that animals must adapt to in order to survive.
Distinct microbial populations, known as microbiomes, inhabit nearly every surface on Earth.
Now scientists have found that octopuses can detect signals from the microbiomes they encounter, revealing one of the ways these cephalopods navigate their environment.
Humans can also detect signs of microbial activity, such as when we smell that meat has gone bad or milk has spoiled.
But we can’t sense those microbes by touch.
Octopuses, on the other hand, touch and taste the world with their arms, which collectively have more neurons than their central brain. Those arms are also lined with chemotactile receptors, which enable them to reflexively react to specific chemical signals from microbiomes as they explore their environment, according to research published recently in Cell.
Microbes have long been known to influence internal animal development, disease, and digestion.
To explore whether the microbiomes in our environment also shape external animal behavior, a team led by biologist Rebecka Sepela, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, chose as their subject the octopus — an animal that does a lot of exploring by touch.
“There’s a huge interest in this right now.
From human biology to animal biology, from agriculture to medicine,” said Spencer Nyholm, an invertebrate zoologist and microbiologist at the University of Connecticut, who was not involved in the study.
“We are surrounded by microbes, and they’re critically important for our health.”
The California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides).
Photo by Anik Grearson.
Photo by Anik Grearson.
Sepela and her team exposed brooding California two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculoides) to microbes found on seafloor surfaces that the animals would likely encounter in their environment.
The scientists made fake octopus eggs out of a nontoxic gel derived from algae and loaded them with a molecule derived from bacteria that the researchers collected from octopus eggs that had been ejected from a clutch.
The octopus mothers rejected those fake eggs much quicker than fake eggs that were not treated with the molecule.
The scientists also isolated a molecule from the microbiome of decaying crabs to see how the octopus would respond to it.
The animals quickly dismissed plastic toy crabs doused in the molecule, exactly as they would react to an actual decaying crab.
When the team gave the octopuses the same plastic crabs without the decaying crab molecule, the octopuses grabbed and held on to them as if they were typical prey.
The results confirm that octopuses can detect and respond to microbial signals, which makes sense given their habitat, Sepela said.
“It’s living on a seafloor world that is completely coated in microbes,” she said.
“Most of the octopus’s body is dedicated towards arms that it uses to taste and touch every surface that it comes into contact with.”
When exposed to the microbial signals, individual octopus suckers reacted reflexively, such as retracting from or adhering to the surface where the molecule was detected.
These reactions were made possible by chemotactile receptors in the cells of octopus suckers that initiate a physiological response when they bind to specific molecules.
One of the receptors the team studied, called CRT1, is “especially sticky,” Sepela said.
“It detects a lot of different molecules.”
First author Rebecka Sepela and co-author Nicholas Bellono looking at a saltwater tank where octopus behavior is observed.Photo by Niles Singer.
The findings are impressive but also important, Nyholm said.
The world is “a microbial sea,” and an animal’s ability to understand the microbiomes around it is critical not only for the individual or its species, but for the whole ecosystem, he said.
By studying the octopus’s insight into the microbial world, we can understand how microbes communicate with animal cells, Sepela said.
“I think it’s just really cool to think about how connected we are with a world that we can’t even see.”
Links :
- GeoGarage blog : What do we owe the octopus? / Eight reasons why octopuses are the geniuses of the ocean / World's largest deep-sea octopus nursery discovered / 'A symbol of what humans shouldn't be doing': the new ... / Dance of the Dumbo octopus / Watch baby octopuses hatch from a surprising deep-sea ... / Squid and octopus switch on camouflage / Deep Intellect : inside the mind of the octopus / Giant Pacific octopus babies: thousands of eggs hatch / Evolution of mimicry in octopuses
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Giant 115-foot (35-meter) waves observed from space
Credit: ESA
From Techno-Science by Cédric Depond
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Observation satellites now offer an unprecedented view of ocean movements.
They allow for precise tracking of the trajectory of waves generated by distant storms, long after the winds that formed them have dissipated.
This ability to trace wave energy over thousands of kilometers provides information to better understand the impact of storms on shorelines, even distant ones.
The SWOT satellite mission, the result of an international collaboration, provided crucial data in December 2024.
By capturing ocean surface topography with unprecedented accuracy, the instrument enabled the quantification of the height and wavelength of swells generated by an exceptional storm in the North Pacific.
These direct observations fill a gap, as existing numerical models had until then relied on few concrete measurements for the most intense events.
The analysis of this information was the subject of a publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The meteorological phenomenon and its oceanic footprint
The storm, identified as Eddie, produced a wave field of remarkable magnitude.
Measurements indicate a significant wave height reaching 64.6 feet (19.7 meters).
Some individual waves were even estimated to have crests exceeding 115 feet (35 meters).
These values place this event among the most powerful of the last three decades, rivaling the Hercules storm of 2014 in the Atlantic.
The particularity of this low-pressure system lies in the distance traveled by its energy.
The swells it generated crossed the Pacific, passed through the Drake Passage at the tip of South America, and continued their journey into the tropical Atlantic.
This journey of nearly 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) demonstrates the ocean's ability to transport a driving force over intercontinental distances, long after the winds that gave it birth have dissipated.
The energy contained in these long waves manifested spectacularly on the coasts of Hawaii and California.
The power of the swells allowed for the holding of surfing competitions requiring exceptional conditions, such as the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
Beyond this spectacle, these breaking waves provided scientists with a tangible demonstration of energy propagation over long distances, validating satellite observations with observable physical manifestations.
Major developments in sea state modeling
Observation satellites now offer an unprecedented view of ocean movements.
They allow for precise tracking of the trajectory of waves generated by distant storms, long after the winds that formed them have dissipated.
This ability to trace wave energy over thousands of kilometers provides information to better understand the impact of storms on shorelines, even distant ones.
The SWOT satellite mission, the result of an international collaboration, provided crucial data in December 2024.
By capturing ocean surface topography with unprecedented accuracy, the instrument enabled the quantification of the height and wavelength of swells generated by an exceptional storm in the North Pacific.
These direct observations fill a gap, as existing numerical models had until then relied on few concrete measurements for the most intense events.
The analysis of this information was the subject of a publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The meteorological phenomenon and its oceanic footprint
The storm, identified as Eddie, produced a wave field of remarkable magnitude.
Measurements indicate a significant wave height reaching 64.6 feet (19.7 meters).
Some individual waves were even estimated to have crests exceeding 115 feet (35 meters).
These values place this event among the most powerful of the last three decades, rivaling the Hercules storm of 2014 in the Atlantic.
The particularity of this low-pressure system lies in the distance traveled by its energy.
The swells it generated crossed the Pacific, passed through the Drake Passage at the tip of South America, and continued their journey into the tropical Atlantic.
This journey of nearly 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) demonstrates the ocean's ability to transport a driving force over intercontinental distances, long after the winds that gave it birth have dissipated.
The energy contained in these long waves manifested spectacularly on the coasts of Hawaii and California.
The power of the swells allowed for the holding of surfing competitions requiring exceptional conditions, such as the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.
Beyond this spectacle, these breaking waves provided scientists with a tangible demonstration of energy propagation over long distances, validating satellite observations with observable physical manifestations.
Major developments in sea state modeling
The data collected by the SWOT satellite led to a significant revision of the physical understanding of wave energy.
Previous models, which predicted a distribution of energy across a broad spectrum of wavelengths, seemed to overestimate the importance of the longest waves.
The precise analysis of the spectra revealed that the majority of the power was actually concentrated in a limited number of dominant waves, characteristic of the storm itself.
This discovery fundamentally changes the assessment of risk associated with distant swells.
The analogy proposed by researchers compares this energy to that of a boxer relying on the power of a few precise punches rather than a succession of less intense impacts.
This concentration of energy in the main waves explains their ability to retain erosive and destructive potential after thousands of kilometers of travel.
The implications for coastal forecasting and infrastructure design are major.
A better quantification of the actual energy transported by swells allows for the refinement of construction standards for dikes, ports, and offshore structures.
The scientific community now has an unprecedented validation tool to improve the accuracy of models used to anticipate the impact of extreme storms on coastlines, including those not directly hit by weather systems.
Links :
- GeoGarage blog : Science investigates freak waves / Chasing the world's biggest wave: Surfer turns to space ... / Researchers measure giant "internal waves" that help ... / Terrifying 20m-tall 'rogue waves' are actually real / The ocean's hidden waves show their power / Studying and surfing the ocean's monster waves / What is a Rossby wave?
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