Part of Antarctica named after former BBC science correspondent

Part of Antarctica has been named after former BBC science correspondent Jonathan Amos.

A stretch of water between Rothschild Island and Alexander Island in the west of the White Continent is now called the Amos Channel.

Amos was given the honour for his "exceptional and influential role in bringing Antarctic research to the forefront of public understanding" during his 38-year career at BBC News, the naming committee said.

The channel is a new feature in Antarctica that appeared when a chunk of ice that connected Rothschild and Alexander Islands disintegrated.

The melting ice sheets of this remote continent are just one of many aspects of polar science that Amos reported on while at the BBC. He also covered colossal icebergs , the fate of penguin colonies and a BBC exclusive about the discovery of Ernest Shackleton's lost ship , the Endurance.

"It's absolutely incredible - what an extraordinary accolade. I'm so touched that there's a little bit of Antarctica named after me," Amos said.

Despite his fascination with the South Pole, he has not yet travelled to the continent.

"I've written about it so often, but always from my desk - this is quite the incentive to go and visit.

"Antarctica is the front line of the biggest news story on planet Earth - climate change," he added.

The naming of geographical features in Antarctica follows strict rules.

The Amos Channel was recommended by the UK Antarctic Place Names Committee, which looks after names for sites within the British Antarctic Territory, as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Athena Dinar, from the British Antarctic Survey, said: "Jon's passion for Antarctica and engaging journalism offers something for every reader, viewer or listener.

"The naming of an Antarctic place in his honour is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Antarctic research."

Amos joined the BBC in 1986 as a local radio reporter in Cambridge. He was part of the team that launched the BBC News website in 1997, and ran the online science desk for many years. He later worked as a BBC science correspondent across TV, radio and online, before leaving the organisation in 2024.

"Jon consistently highlighted the importance of Antarctic research, explaining not only what science is being done there, but why it matters for society, climate understanding and the global environment," said Fiona Fox, from the Science Media Centre.

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