Halley Antarctic base: The newest incarnation.Halley 6 opened in 2013, designed to survive the harsh
Halley Antarctic base: The newest incarnation.Halley 6 opened in 2013, designed to survive the harsh conditions (-59 degrees Celsius, 150 KPH winds) of the world’s coldest continent. Situated on the Brunt ice shelf, the first version opened in 1956, and the rising snow and ice have been burying them at the rate of about one a decade ever since. This newest base is designed to survive longer, as it can be jacked up on its stilts to remain above the rising ice. The legs also have giant skis allowing it to be moved if needed, making it the first movable research facility of this type on Earth. Halley 5 could also be raised on steel platforms, but drifted with the ice until it reached the point of calving as an iceberg and was abandoned.The station’s primary work is meteorological/atmospheric chemistry, but geology and glaciology are conducted there as well. It was here that the ozone hole was first measured in 1985. Taking four years to build, its first science was done last year. The population varies from 16 mostly technical staff in winter, who maintain the station and experiments, to 70 in summer, when most scientists visit. The resupply ship and annual relief arrives every December.LozImage credit: British Antarctic SurveyAn account of construction and many good photos: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/halley/halleyvi/History, wildlife and work routine: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/halley/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/25/antarctic-research-stations-exposed -- source link
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