tour

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Part 1

Some history and general information

After Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott's expeditions to the South Pole in 1911 and 1912 the South Pole was not visited again until October 1956. The United States Navy made a survey of the site in preparation for the establishment of a research station. Construction began the same season and was completed by February 1957. An eighteen man NAVY support and scientific crew remained for the winter, the first of the winter-over parties which have continuously occupied what became known as Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
The original station was modified and expended over the years, but by 1967 it was becoming increasingly apparent that a new station would be needed.
Construction of the current South Pole Station began during the 1970-71 austral summer. Erection of the dome, arches and interior modules took place over the next three summers. Finishing work was concluded during 1974-75 season, and in January, 1975, the station was formally dedicated. The old station was abandoned and is meanwhile buried deep under the snow.

Located in the midst of a vast terrain of flat featureless snow is the South Pole station. The core structures are sheltered beneath an aluminum geodesic dome, 50 meters (165 ft) in diameter at the base and 17 meters (55 ft) high at its apex. Outer areas include Summer Camp, the Dark Sector and Clean Air.
The second largest United States station on the continent, the South Pole is an outstanding natural laboratory for Astrophysics, Meteorology, Aeronomy and Glaciology.
With a considerable amount of science and construction projects, the South Pole is a very busy place during summer. This season the population is up to 170 people more than ever before. After a hectic summer season the winter population settles down to 26-28 people. The number of winter-overs is determined by the available bed space under the dome and arch.

Photo tour through the Station

The dome, the main complex as seen from the dark sector, where the AMANDA experiment is located.

The dome with main entrance. The orange building to the left is the skylab, housing a couple of labs and a common room. When the station was built, the entrance was on ground (snow) level.

"The UNITED STATES of AMERICA welcomes you to AMUNDSEN-SCOTT SOUTH POLE STATION"

Map of the dome.

Just after the entrance are the two arches, right the power plant and garage, left Biomed ("hospital") and fuel arch. Have a look at the doors, they are big freezer doors, with the difference, inside it's warm.

The main treatment room.

The "hospital" with two beds.

Even simple dental repairs can be done.

The fuel arch behind Biomed, with the full fuel bladders.

The power plant, the most important building.

One of the three generators.

Before we enter the Dome, let's have a look in garage arch. Here is the way along the power plant into the main garage arch.

The gym - very small.

The carpenter shop, between the gym and the garage.

Every avaliable space is used for storage, here are all the spare parts.

The garage.

One of the new snow mobiles.

The way into the dome.

One of the many storage areas inside the dome. The dome just protects against the wind and snow, but the temperature is nearly the same as outside. So actually it's a big freezer.

Inside the dome is most of the housing, the galley, science and communications building. I'm standing on upper berthing, the second floor of the science building. Upper berthing has 16 rooms (also my one). The small shack in the middle is the greenhouse, which provides us with some freshies during the winter time.

The greenhouse - our oasis, the only green for thousands of miles.

The building in the back is the galley, second floor is the bar and another dinning area. The building on the left is coms (communications), the second floor houses an office, the store, the library and the lounge.