Halley
Station
Nationality: UK
| Location: Halley
stands on the Brunt ice shelf. This flows off the Antarctic
continent into the Weddell Sea at a rate of 2m per day, breaking
off at the edge to form giant icebergs. |
Halley Station
|
History: Halley base was established in 1956 as
part of the UK's contribution to the International Geophysical Year.
Scientific research has continued uninterrupted ever since. From 1962
this has been run by the British Antarctic Survey.
Information: Temperatures rarely get above freezing in
Summer and fall to -50 C in winter when there is 24 hour darkness
for three months. For about 9 months of the year the 30 or so residents
are completely isolated from the outside world by the surrounding
sea ice and impossible flying conditions. Only a nearby colony of
emperor penguins keeps them company.
Science:
It was here in 1985 that British scientists first measured the ozone
depletion of the Antarctic stratosphere. Their discovery that
this critical protection from ultraviolet radiation had been decreasing
from 1975-1985 made headlines around the world and spurred the international
agreement on banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Measurements are taken of the ice of Antarctica beneath, of the air
in the troposphere above, of the ozone in the stratosphere above that,
and of the plasma in the geospace beyond them all.
Web Cam:
Website:
Halley
Station
Wildlife:
Elephant Seals, Fur Seals, Royal Penguins, King Penguins, Gentoo Penguins,
Rockhopper Penguins, Albatross, Misc. Flight Birds
|
