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 | |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Location in Antarctica | Ross Island Ross Dependency Antarctica |
| Administered by | Antarctica New Zealand |
| Established | 20 January 1957 |
| Named after | Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN |
| Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Population (2017)[1] | |
| • Summer | 78 |
| • Winter | 11 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDST) |
| UN/LOCODE | AQ SBA |
| Type | All year-round |
| Period | Annual |
| Status | Operational |
| Activities | List
|
| Website | antarcticanz.govt.nz/scott-base |
Scott Base is a New Zealand Antarctic research station at Pram Point on Ross Island near Mount Erebus in New Zealand's Ross Dependency territorial claim. It was named in honour of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN, leader of two British expeditions to the Ross Sea area of Antarctica. The base was set up as support to field research and the centre for research into earth sciences, and now conducts research in many fields, operated by Antarctica New Zealand.
The base is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the larger U.S. McMurdo Station via Willy Field road, the main road to Williams Field.
History
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2020) |
Scott Base was originally constructed in support of the UK inspired and privately managed Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE). The New Zealand government provided support for the TAE and also for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) project of 1957, five of whose members were attached to the Expedition. In February 1956, 10 months before the TAE and IGY parties were due to head to the Antarctic, Frank Ponder, an architect at the Ministry of Works (New Zealand), was given the task of designing the base. Ponder's design consisted of six main buildings and three smaller scientific labs. The main buildings were to be placed at least 7 metres apart because of fire risk but were linked to one another by a covered way of galvanised iron. Three New Zealand observers who were also given the task of selecting the site for a base went to McMurdo Sound with the United States "Operation Deep Freeze I" in the summer of 1955. After evaluating possible sites, a location near Butter Point was chosen. This was later changed to Pram Point as it provided better access for offloading supplies from the Expedition ship HMNZS Endeavour and also allowed for the operation of the critical RNZAF Antarctic Flight on a nearby ice runway. The base looks out over what is now known as Haskell Strait. Scott Base passed over to New Zealand Government ownership via the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), on 5 March 1958, at the conclusion of the TAE.
During the IGY the United States facility at Hut Point did not operate as a scientific base. It was the New Zealand expedition's responsibility to furnish the important scientific data (auroral, ionospheric, seismic, etc.), linking the McMurdo area research activities with those of the United States Pole Station and the joint United States–New Zealand station at Cape Hallett, Victoria Land.
Scientific research and expansion
In 1958, following completion of the TAE and IGY, New Zealand made the decision to continue to operate Scott Base for scientific research, much of which depends upon the continuity of recorded data over a period of years. In order to maintain operations, a base rebuilding programme began in 1976.[citation needed]
New Zealander Robert B. Thomson, who was officer-in-charge at Wilkes Station in 1962, was deputy leader at Scott at in 1963-64. Thomson Peak, in the Mirabito Range, Victoria Land, was named after him.[2] The leader of Scott Base for the 1964–65 season, Adrian Hayter, published a personal memoir of his experience.[3] He was preceded as Leader by Russell Rawle[4] and followed by Mike Prebble.[5] These three leaders are commemorated with Rawle Glacier, Mount Hayter, and Prebble Glacier.[citation needed]
From 1957 until 1986, dogs played a part in base operations. Initially, they were an essential means of transport, but with better technology, their importance dwindled until they were removed in line with environmental treaties.[citation needed]
Scientific diving operations began in 1985.[6] Between 1985 and 2006, a total of 1,296 had been logged.[7]
21st century
 | This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Redevelopment plan paused in 2023. (November 2025) |
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As of 2008, the only original building was the TAE "A" mess hut, which contains material recording New Zealand's involvement in Antarctica since 1957. In 2005 the two-story high Hillary Field Centre was commissioned, increasing the floor area of Scott Base by 1,800 m2 (19,000 sq ft) and providing work areas to support field parties as well as additional office space. The building was officially opened by then-Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Sir Edmund Hillary.[citation needed]
In support of the future of New Zealand's Antarctic science programme, in June 2019 the Government committed NZ$498 million (US$286.8 million) for the next phase of the Scott Base Redevelopment project, which includes a plan to replace the base's 12 separate buildings with four large interconnected buildings.[8][9] Jasmax and Hugh Broughton Architects produced the architectural design.[10]
On 5 November 2021, Antarctica New Zealand confirmed that PrimePort Timaru would host the redevelopment of the prefabricated Scott Base facilities. Besides the three interconnected buildings, the project also involves upgrading the Ross Island wind farm.[11]
Historic site
The A Hut of Scott Base is the only existing Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1956–1957) building in Antarctica. It has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 75), following a proposal by New Zealand to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.[12]
Facilities
The base is made up of a collection of Chelsea Cucumber green[13] buildings which are linked by all-weather corridors. These buildings can accommodate 86 people over summer,[1] with between 10 and 14 people remaining over the winter.[14]
Like nearby McMurdo Station, Scott Base is connected to the global telephone network via a Satellite Earth Station operated by Spark New Zealand, located approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) away at Arrival Heights. Spark NZ also provide phone services to McMurdo for calls to New Zealand as well as to the Italian Programme at Terra Nova Bay. McMurdo Station has an independent communications infrastructure located at Black Island and linked to Ross Island via microwave.[citation needed]
Scott Base is today operated by Antarctica New Zealand.
Wind turbines
Three Enercon E-33 wind turbines (330 kilowatts (440 hp) each) were installed in 2009 to co-power Scott Base and McMurdo Station, reducing diesel consumption by 11%: 463,000 litres (102,000 imp gal; 122,000 US gal) per year.[15][16] Battery failures have reduced power capacity by 66%.[17]
"the small battery component that we have within our grid which we called the power store unfortunately has failed, and that was due to the failure of a non-replaceable part, so that has significantly limited our ability to use our wind turbines to the fullest capacity, so in 2019 we've had to curtail our Wind Farm to about 33% of its full potential"[17]
Three new wind turbines were planned for the 2024–2025 season, with great capacity: one new one will be greater than the previous three combined. The strong winds make wind power a practical alternative, and the new wind system should supply 90% of the power at Scott Base.
Climate
A polar ice cap climate with evenly-distributed precipitation (Köppen EFf) prevails at Scott Base. The base has fairly typical weather conditions for coastal Antarctica, with minimum temperatures around −45 °C (−49 °F) and summer maximum only occasionally above freezing point. It is exposed to the full strength of southerly blizzards, although overall it is less windy than McMurdo Station. The maximum wind velocities experienced have been gusts up to 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph) with steady velocities under blizzard conditions of 95–115 kilometres per hour (59–71 mph). The highest recorded temperature was 6.8 °C (44.2 °F), the coolest −57 °C (−71 °F) and the mean temperature −19.6 °C (−3.3 °F).[18]
| Climate data for Scott Base (1991−2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.3 (29.7) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
−15.9 (3.4) |
−18.9 (−2.0) |
−19.8 (−3.6) |
−20.0 (−4.0) |
−22.3 (−8.1) |
−22.8 (−9.0) |
−20.5 (−4.9) |
−15.3 (4.5) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−14.4 (6.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.6 (23.7) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−20.5 (−4.9) |
−24.6 (−12.3) |
−25.7 (−14.3) |
−25.8 (−14.4) |
−28.6 (−19.5) |
−29.3 (−20.7) |
−26.7 (−16.1) |
−20.3 (−4.5) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−19.4 (−2.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.9 (17.8) |
−14.8 (5.4) |
−25.0 (−13.0) |
−30.2 (−22.4) |
−31.7 (−25.1) |
−31.5 (−24.7) |
−34.9 (−30.8) |
−35.8 (−32.4) |
−32.9 (−27.2) |
−25.3 (−13.5) |
−15.2 (4.6) |
−7.9 (17.8) |
−24.4 (−11.9) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18 (0.7) |
21 (0.8) |
14 (0.6) |
16 (0.6) |
23 (0.9) |
22 (0.9) |
13 (0.5) |
12 (0.5) |
11 (0.4) |
13 (0.5) |
12 (0.5) |
9 (0.4) |
184 (7.2) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76.2 | 70.7 | 71.6 | 71.3 | 70.3 | 69.0 | 66.6 | 67.2 | 66.4 | 68.7 | 67.6 | 73.2 | 69.9 |
| Source 1: NIWA Climate Data[19] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weatherbase[20] | |||||||||||||
See also
References
- ^ a b c Antarctic Station Catalogue (PDF) (catalogue). Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. August 2017. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-473-40409-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Alberts, Fred G., ed. (1995). Geographic Names of the Antarctic (PDF) (2 ed.). United States Board on Geographic Names. p. 744. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ^ Hayter, Adrian. The Year of the Quiet Sun: One year at Scott Base, Antarctica: a personal impression. Hadder and Stoughton, 1968, London, p. 76
- ^ Hayter, p. 31.
- ^ Hayter, p. 181
- ^ Mercer, Steve (2000). "Antarctic lake diving with the semi-closed rebreather". In: Hallock and French (Eds). Diving for Science...2000. Proceedings of the 20th Annual Scientific Diving Symposium, American Academy of Underwater Sciences. St Pete Beach, Florida. Archived from the original on 02 September 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help) - ^ Pollock, Neal W (2007). "Scientific diving in Antarctica: history and current practice". Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 37: 204–11. Archived from the original on 07 January 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help) - ^ "Redeveloping Scott Base for the future". Antartctic. 37: 13. 2019.
- ^ "Home". Scott Base Redevelopment. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ Morton, Jamie (28 June 2019). "Plans for new-look Scott Base revealed". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
- ^ "New Antarctica NZ base to be built in Timaru". Radio New Zealand. 5 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "List of Historic Sites and Monuments approved by the ATCM (2012)" (PDF). Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Chelsea Cucumber Color". colors.artyclick.com. ArtyClick. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
The color Chelsea Cucumber belongs to the color family Pastel Spring Green. It is of medium brightness and medium saturation. The color Chelsea Cucumber corresponds to the hex code #83AA5D.
- ^ "Frequently asked questions". Scott Base 50years. Antarctica New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ "Ross Island Wind Energy". Antarctica New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
- ^ "New Zealand Wind Energy Association". Wind Energy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ a b
- Fernando, Maria (26 June 2023). "Success Through International Collaboration in Microgrid Operation on Ross Island". youtube. Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, NZ: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
Maria Fernando is a Electrical & Wind Engineer at Antarctica New Zealand....In January 2010, the Crater Hill Wind Farm was commissioned and became operational, the world's southernmost wind farm. The three turbines, supply electricity to a shared power microgrid that connects Scott Base to McMurdo Station, called the Ross Island Energy Grid (RIEG). A number of improvements have been made over the lifetime of the RIEG, including automation of the Scott Base generators in order to more efficiently use generated electricity between the two stations when wind generated electricity is not enough to meet the power demands of the Ross Island network. Innovation and collaboration between Antarctica New Zealand and the United States Antarctic Program has made the project successful. Ongoing collaboration occurs to ensure the day-to-day operation of the microgrid and to work through any issues. This presentation will offer an update to the operation of the Crater Hill Wind Farm in the years since construction and the wider Ross Island Energy Grid, highlighting safety and maintenance issues that have occurred, lessons learned and successes achieved through collaboration.
- "20th COMNAP Symposium". COMNAP. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- Fernando, Maria (26 June 2023). "Success Through International Collaboration in Microgrid Operation on Ross Island". youtube. Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, NZ: Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ Mackintosh, Lesley (2013). "How cold is the Antarctic?". NIWA. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ "Climate data and activities". NIWA. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Precipitation Data". Weatherbase. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
External links
- Antarctica New Zealand homepage
- Scott base homepage
- Antarctic connection page
- Current weather at Scott Base Archived 16 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Current webcam at Scott Base
- Images & Articles about Antarctica from New Zealand Defence Force
- COMNAP Antarctic Facilities
- COMNAP Antarctic Facilities Map
Scott Base 50th Anniversary Website
NZ Antarctic Research
- Latitudinal Gradient Project (LGP) supporting scientists in investigations related to the broad theme of ecosystems research Archived 16 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine
- ANDRILL - Drilling back into the future Archived 21 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
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