MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Argentine scientists arrive at Antarctica's Belgrano II Base to study climate change
Belgrano II is Argentina's southernmost base in Antarctica Twenty-one Argentine experts who will investigate climate change have arrived at the country's southernmost Antarctic Belgrano II Base, it was reported.
The scientific and military experts will face a four-month long polar night after landing more than 4,500 kilometers away from Buenos Aires and less than 1,700 from the South Pole, with temperatures that can reach around or below minus 35 degrees Celsius. Belgrano II is the southernmost of the Argentine bases and is located to the east of the Weddell Sea, so the newly arrived staff will not have contact with people outside the group until they are relieved in December 2017.
“To get here we had to leave Buenos Aires on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight that left us in Ushuaia; from there an Ilyushin-76 transport plane took us on a four-hour flight to the Union Glacier aero-drone where a Basler BT-67 connecting plane was waiting to take us on a three-hour flight to the airstrip five miles off Belgrano II...,” base commander Army Captain Alejandro Hermosa said.. The journey was completed with transport vehicles fitted for the local conditions.
The team consisis of 16 Army personnel, two Air Force staff from the National Meteorological Service and three scientists from the National Antarctic Directorate who work at the Argentine Antarctic Institute.
“Belgrano II's geographical position allows for much research on the ozone layer, the polar auroras and other atmospheric phenomena, and there are several works related to glaciology,” Hermosa explained. He added that some of the equipment needed for the studies is to be airdropped in the coming days.
“The most complicated thing during polar night is the water supply,” Hermosa sentenced. “Every day we will have to go out to chop blocks of ice that we will have to get into the base to melt them,” he added. “Belgrano II is quite isolated and we are aware that it is very difficult to count on outside assistance in the event of any contingency, so we have an doctor and a nurse on the premises.”
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all comments@ Earthfarmer “Should read...18 military personnel and 3 scientists....”
Dec 22nd, 2016 - 11:35 am +2Should read “...18 military personnel and 3 'scientists' tasked with melting ice for the 18 military personnel....”
------------------------------
Fidelito, infórmate (aunque vosotros que no habláis castellano lo escriben informate)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/11417755/Britains-most-southerly-post-office-Port-Lockroy-in-Antarctica-in-pictures.html?frame=3202192
Those 10 are an implanted population, impregnated in Argieland and shipped to the Antarctic to give birth. Its all a bit of Vivenza Criola or whatever it called to create division and discord. Do they live tbere now? No, they live back in Argieland!
Dec 22nd, 2016 - 11:53 am +2The British were exploring Antarctica long before any Argie set foot there. Queen Elizabeth land, and a long established Post Office. Get informed Nostril and please stop the whining..
It's time for Argenzuela to leave the British Antarctic Territory. But clean up your gimmicks and filth before you go.
Dec 22nd, 2016 - 12:23 pm +2We are reminded of the chickenshit and cowardly nature of Argentina's “claim” to Antarctica, years after others had made more convincing claims. It was 1943 and the UK was at war with the Nazis that Argentina was secretly supporting. Sort of like Argentina's claim to oil rights on the moon.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!