Casey Station
Casey Station is an Australian research station in Antarctica. It is one of three main stations operated by Australia on the continent.
Casey Station | |
|---|---|
Antarctic base | |
Casey Station as seen from the air. | |
Location on Bailey Peninsula | |
Casey Station Location of Casey Station in Antarctica | |
| Coordinates: 66°16′57″S 110°31′36″E / 66.282514°S 110.526613°E | |
| Established | February 1969 |
| Named for | Richard, Baron Casey |
| Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Summer | 99 |
| • Winter | 21 |
| Time zone | UTC+8 |
| Website | aad.gov.au |
Location
Casey Station is on the coast of East Antarctica, in an area called Wilkes Land. It is located near Vincennes Bay on the Bailey Peninsula. The station is about 3,880 km (2,410 miles) south of Perth, Australia. Casey Station is the closest Antarctic station to Australia. It’s also one of the few stations in Antarctica connected by aeroplane flights from the mainland during summer.
History
The first Australian base in this area was called Wilkes Station, built by the United States in 1957 and later handed over to Australia. But because it was getting buried by snow, a new station—Casey Station—was built nearby. Casey Station officially opened in 1969. It is named after Richard Casey, an Australian politician and Governor-General.
Purpose
Casey Station is used for scientific research, including:
- Climate and weather
- Glaciers and ice movement
- Marine biology
- Atmospheric studies
- Environmental monitoring
Scientists and support staff work together to study how Antarctica affects global systems like weather and sea levels.
People
In the summer, around 120 people live at Casey Station. In the winter, the number drops to about 15 to 20. These people live and work in complete isolation during the coldest months.
Facilities
Casey Station has:
- Living quarters
- A mess hall (cafeteria)
- A medical center
- Laboratories
- Workshops
Communication buildings
There is also a short runway nearby called the Wilkins Aerodrome, used by aircraft in summer.
Climate
Casey Station has a cold and windy climate, and has an ice cap climate. Summer temperatures are usually around −1 °C (30 °F), while winter temperatures can fall below −20 °C (−4 °F). Strong winds and snowstorms are common. Casey experiences long daylight in summer and long nights in winter, but not complete 24-hour darkness like the South Pole.