SANAE IV

SANAE IV is a research station in Antarctica. It is run by South Africa. The name SANAE stands for South African National Antarctic Expedition. SANAE IV is the fourth base built by South Africa in Antarctica. The base is part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and is operated by the South African National Antarctic Expedition.^[1]

SANAE IV was finished in 1997. It replaced the earlier SANAE I, II, and III stations, which were built on the ice shelf. Those older stations were lost over time because the ice broke off or got buried in snow.

SANAE IV is on a nunatak called Vesleskarvet in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. A nunatak is a rocky mountain that sticks out above the ice. The station is about 160 kilometers from the coast. It is built on rock, not ice, so it does not move or get buried like older bases. The station is about 850 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by thick ice sheets and snowfields. The rock of Vesleskarvet sticks out from the ice, which makes it a good place to build a station that won’t move or sink over time.

There are glaciers, snow-covered plains, and mountains in the area. The nearest coast is the Fimbul Ice Shelf, which is about 160 kilometers away.

SANAE IV has an extremely cold and windy climate. It is located in East Antarctica, which is one of the coldest places on Earth. Winter temperatures can drop to -50°C (-58°F) or lower, while summer temperatures are still cold, usually around -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F).

The sun does not rise for several months in winter, and it does not set for several months in summer. Blizzards and strong katabatic winds are common. These winds blow down from the high ice sheet at high speeds. Even though it is very cold, Antarctica is also a desert. There is very little snow or rain, usually less than 200 mm of precipitation each year.

Scientists at SANAE IV study weather, space, geology, and the environment. The base is used all year, even in the cold and dark winter. About 10 people stay during winter, but more come in summer.

The station is built on stilts to keep it above the snow. It has living areas, labs, a kitchen, workshops, and a communications room. It uses solar and diesel power for energy.

People and supplies are brought to SANAE IV by ship and then by vehicles over the ice. The nearby base used for unloading is South Africa’s icebreaker, usually at Atka Bay.

1. ↑ "General Information". South African National Antarctic Programme. Archived from the original on 26 January 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.