Antarctic waterway named Amos Channel after 38-year BBC veteran
The newly formed strait between two islands honors a journalist who covered polar science for four decades without ever setting foot on the continent.
By Nadia Almasi ·
Former BBC science correspondent Jonathan Amos has had a section of Antarctica named in his honor. The Amos Channel is a stretch of water that separates Rothschild Island from Alexander Island in the western part of the continent. The body of water did not exist until recently when a large chunk of connecting ice disintegrated, creating the new geographic feature.
The naming decision came from the UK Antarctic Place Names Committee. This body manages official names for sites within the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands. The committee cited Amos's exceptional role in making Antarctic research accessible to the general public. They noted his 38-year career at BBC News as the primary reason for the designation.
Amos joined the BBC in 1986 as a local radio reporter in Cambridge. He moved into digital media when he helped launch the BBC News website in 1997. For many years, he ran the online science desk before becoming a science correspondent across television, radio, and online platforms. He left the organization in 2024 after nearly four decades of service.
During his tenure, Amos reported on various aspects of polar science. His coverage included melting ice sheets, the movement of massive icebergs, and the status of penguin colonies. He also reported on the discovery of Ernest Shackleton's lost ship, the Endurance, which was a BBC exclusive at the time.
Despite writing about the region for decades, Amos has never visited Antarctica. He stated that he has always reported from his desk. He described the new naming as a strong incentive to finally make the trip. He called the continent the front line of the biggest news story on planet Earth, specifically regarding climate change.
Athena Dinar of the British Antarctic Survey said the naming recognizes Amos's outstanding contribution to promoting Antarctic research. Fiona Fox from the Science Media Center added that Amos consistently explained why the science matters for society and the global environment.
Amos reacted to the news by calling the accolade extraordinary. He said he was touched that a part of Antarctica now bears his name. The naming follows strict rules for geographic features in the region, ensuring that such honors are reserved for those with a proven track record of engagement with the field.
Source: BBC News
