prelims pointers for 1 December 2025

Svalbard Latest News

A significant new discovery recently emerged in the Arctic, with scientists spotting an unexpected gathering of walruses on the remote shores of Svalbard, a wild stretch of land nestled between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

About Svalbard

• It is a Norwegian archipelago that is situated in the Arctic Ocean, to the north of the European mainland. 
• It is located about halfway between the North Pole and the northern part of Norway.
• It is the northernmost place in the world with a permanent population.
• Discovery: It was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596.
• The 1920 Svalbard Treaty established Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard Islands.
• It covers a total area of about 61,022 sq.km.
• Approximately 60% of the archipelago is covered with glaciers, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords.
• It is composed of several islands such as Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Edgeøya, Barentsøya, Kvitøya, Kong Karls Land, Prins Karls Forland, Bjørnøya, and Hopen.
• Spitsbergen is the largest and most populous island.
  • The island is bounded by the Arctic Ocean, the Greenland Sea, and the Norwegian Sea.
  • The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is also located on Spitsbergen. It is the largest backup facility for the world’s crop diversity.
• Climate: The archipelago features an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other areas at the same latitude. 
• Due to its location in the northern part of the Arctic Circle, the Svalbard Islands experience the midnight sun during the summer months and polar night during the winter months.
• Vegetation consists mostly of lichens and mosses; the only trees are the tiny polar willow and the dwarf birch. 
• Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds, and also features polar bears, reindeer, the arctic fox, and certain marine mammals. 

Key Facts about Walrus

• It is a large mammal that lives in the cold Arctic seas of Europe, Asia, and North America. 
• It is closely related to the seals. 
• The walrus can be told apart from seals by the two large upper teeth, called tusks, that stick down from its mouth. The tusks can be 3 feet (1 meter) long. 
• Scientific Name: Odobenus rosmarus.
• There are two subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and the Pacific walrus (O. rosmarus divergens). 
• Features:
• The walrus has a stocky body and a rounded head. 
• It has flippers instead of legs. Its mouth is covered with stiff whiskers. 
• The skin is wrinkled and grayish brown. A thick layer of fat below the skin, called blubber, keeps the walrus warm.
• Walruses can be 13.7 meters long and weigh more than 1,200 kilograms.
• Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Source: IDR