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Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics
| ANTARCTIC STATIONS |
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The U.S. Antarctic Program, Division of Antarcitc Infrastructure and Logistics, operates three year-round stations—McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott South Pole, and Palmer stations. Camps operate only in summer to support field research. Six automated geophysical observatories and more than 100 automated weather stations operate year-round. The weather stations involve international collaboration with the Italian, German, Australian, and British programs.
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McMurdo Station, Ross Island, Antarctica, is the largest station in Antarctica and the logistics hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program. (NSF/USAP photo by Michael Hoffman, Raytheon Polar Services)
Visit the McMurdo Station webcam.
Read recent reports from McMurdo Station, published in the Antarctic Sun. |
| LOGISTICAL SUPPORT |
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Ski-equipped Hercules airplanes (LC-130) transport fuel, equipment, supplies, and personnel from McMurdo Station to inland sites, including Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, and from New Zealand. During the austral summer, wheeled military transports (C-17s and C-130s) also bring equipment, personnel, and supplies to Antarctica from New Zealand.
Ski-equipped Twin Otters and Basler aircraft also provide support to field teams during the austral summer. |
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Helicopters provide support to field parties in the McMurdo Dry Valleys in southern Victoria Land and at remote field camps. Here a helicopter lands near the Beardmore Camp in the Transantarctic Mountains. (NSF/USAP photo by Kristan Hutchison, Raytheon Polar Services) |
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Small and large field camps support science parties in remote areas of Antarctica. The photograph shows a large camp—Beardmore Camp—which supported eight geology and paleontology projects during the 2003-2004 austral summer season. (NSF/USAP photo by Kristan Hutchison, Raytheon Polar Services) |
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Automated Geophysical Observatories supported by the U.S. Antarctic Program. |
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