The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often referred to as the “Doomsday Vault,” is an extraordinary facility located deep within the Arctic wilderness and brought Svalbard international attention when it first opened.
The Global Seed Vault was opened in February 2008 as a safety net for humanity. Its primary purpose is to store duplicate seeds from gene banks worldwide. This ensures that, in the event of a natural disaster, war, climate change, or other crises, vital plant species can be preserved and restored.
It is supposed to receive 4.5 million samples of food crop seed varieties, each containing several thousand seeds. The first countries to send seeds on February 26, 2008, were Syria, Germany and the Philippines and there’s been a steady stream arriving from over 100 countries ever since.
The vault’s location on Svalbard was chosen for its cold, stable conditions. Even without electricity, the seeds remain frozen, providing a fail-safe for the future of agriculture. This makes the facility a critical part of global conservation efforts, acting as a backup for the thousands of gene banks across the world.
The site was chosen as it is believed that it will survive even something extreme like a nuclear war or extreme climate change that leads to the complete melting of the ice caps.
The seed vault operates as a backup storage system. National seed banks send duplicates of their seed samples to Svalbard, where they are kept in a controlled environment. Each country retains ownership of its seeds, and they can be withdrawn only if other seed sources have been destroyed or run out. The first samples were released in 2015 to replace a Syrian stock.
The vault’s underground chambers, buried deep in permafrost, ensure that the seeds are kept at optimal temperatures.
The seeds stored in Svalbard are diverse, ranging from staple crops such as rice, wheat, and maize, to rare and wild plant species. With over a million seed samples already stored, the facility plays a crucial role in protecting the genetic diversity of the world’s crops.
Driving your own snowmobiles over the Arctic tundra and on-board the expedition ship, you will be on the lookout for wildlife, hoping to see polar bears, walrus, seals and reindeer alongside the epic Arctic landscape in some of the best light conditions. Svalbard is always an extraordinary adventure!
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Join us in 2024 for polar bear cruises in Svalbard aboard the R/V Kinfish, where every moment is an opportunity for polar bear watching amid the stunning Arctic scenery.
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Experience the Arctic like a true explorer via tented camp and husky sled, looking out for the Northern Lights and spotting wildlife in Svalbard's dramatic wilderness. Begin your adventure into the wilderness at Basecamp Hotel before spending two days camping under the stars, scouring for the magical Northern Lights and exploring the far reaches of the Arctic. Watch for wildlife and travel by husky sled before recuperating in luxury with a stay at Isfjord Radio, a converted radio station turned comfortable wilderness hotel.
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The design of the vault is both practical and symbolic. Built into the side of a mountain, its entrance is marked by a striking artwork installation that reflects the vault’s importance to humanity. The facility can store up to 4.5 million seed varieties, ensuring there is space for all the world’s important crop species.
Internally, the vault consists of three large chambers, each capable of holding hundreds of thousands of seed packets. The chambers are designed to be self-sustaining, with cooling systems and thick concrete walls protecting the seeds from external threats, including potential climate changes.
It's worth noting that whilst you can see the entrance (it isn’t far from Longyearbyen airport), the Seed Vault is not open to the public.
The vault’s location on Svalbard also highlights the importance of Arctic conservation. The Arctic is a region particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and preserving its ecosystem is critical not only for the species that live there but also for global food security. The vault is a symbol of the efforts to protect both the Arctic and the planet’s agricultural future.
Despite its isolated location, Svalbard has become a hub for global conservation efforts. The vault itself represents a unique intersection of science, environmental protection, and international cooperation, bringing together countries from around the world in the common goal of safeguarding our planet's future.
As climate change continues to impact agriculture and food security, the vault will play a critical role in ensuring that humanity can adapt to these challenges. In recent years, the vault has seen withdrawals from countries affected by conflict and environmental disasters, demonstrating its value in times of crisis.
Additionally, continued efforts to diversify the seeds stored within the vault will be essential to maintaining the genetic diversity needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This diversity is key to developing crops that can withstand new challenges such as pests, diseases, and shifting climates.
