Scott Base
Scott Base | |
|---|---|
Aerial photograph of Scott Base, looking towards Observation Hill at left. | |
Scott Base Location of Scott Base in Antarctica | |
| Coordinates: 77°50′57″S 166°46′06″E / 77.849132°S 166.768196°E | |
| Established | 20 January 1957 |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Summer | 78 |
| • Winter | 11 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDST) |
| Website | antarcticanz.govt.nz/scott-base |
Scott Base is a research station in Antarctica. It is run by New Zealand. The base is used for scientific research and as a support station for people working in Antarctica.
Location
Scott Base is on Ross Island, near the Ross Ice Shelf. It is close to the coast of Antarctica and just 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the United States' McMurdo Station. The base is built on solid ground at the edge of Mount Erebus, an active volcano.
History
Scott Base was opened in 1957 for the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. It was named after Captain Robert Falcon Scott, a British explorer who led early expeditions to the South Pole. Since then, the base has been used by New Zealand for many types of scientific research and logistical support.
Research
Scott Base is used for research in:
Scientists work there during the summer, and a smaller group stays over winter. Around 85 people live there in summer, and about 10–15 stay for the winter.
Buildings
The base has green-colored buildings connected by covered walkways. It includes:
- Living quarters
- Laboratories
- Dining room
- Workshops
- Storage areas
- A wind farm to make electricity
There are also communications rooms and vehicle garages.
Geography
Scott Base is located on Ross Island, which is made of volcanic rock. Nearby are:
- Mount Erebus (an active volcano)
- Ross Ice Shelf
- McMurdo Sound
- McMurdo Station (USA)
The area has a mix of rock, ice, and snow.
Climate
Scott Base has a cold polar climate:
- Winter temperatures can fall below -40°C (-40°F)
- Summer temperatures are usually around -2°C to -15°C (28°F to 5°F)
- Strong winds and snow are common
- There is no sunlight during winter (polar night)
- In summer, there is 24-hour daylight (midnight sun)
- The highest recorded temperature was 6.8 °C (44.2 °F), and the coldest was −57 °C (−71 °F), and the mean temperature was −19.6 °C (−3.3 °F).[1]
Trivia
- Scott Base is the only New Zealand base in Antarctica.
- It is close enough to walk or drive to McMurdo Station.
- A wind turbine system helps reduce fuel use at the base.
- The base is managed by Antarctica New Zealand, the government agency for Antarctic programs.
- ↑ Mackintosh, Lesley (2013). "How cold is the Antarctic?". NIWA. Retrieved 11 July 2016.