Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, Research station in Antarctica.
The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a research facility and observatory in Antarctica, positioned precisely at the geographic South Pole. The complex rests on an ice layer nearly three kilometers thick, sitting at an elevation of roughly 2800 meters above sea level.
A US Navy construction team built the original base in November 1956 to support research projects during the International Geophysical Year. Since then, the facility has been rebuilt and expanded several times to meet the changing demands of polar science.
Researchers here work around the clock on glaciology and atmospheric science, adapting to months without sunset followed by months without dawn. The crew follows artificial daily schedules since natural day and night cycles vanish at the geographic South Pole.
Up to 200 people live here during summer months, while only a few dozen remain in winter to run the facility through months of darkness. Visitors can enter only with special permission, as the site operates exclusively for scientific purposes.
A small greenhouse facility produces fresh vegetables and herbs that provide the only source of non-preserved food during isolated winter months. The hydroponic beds grow under artificial light and help the crew maintain vitamin intake and cope psychologically with isolation.
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