Esperanza Base
Base Esperanza
All-civilian Antarctic base
View of Esperanza Base, January 2016
View of Esperanza Base, January 2016
Official Esperanza Base emblem
Emblem
Motto(s): 
Spanish: Permanencia, un acto de sacrificio
("Permanence, an act of sacrifice")
Location of Esperanza Base in Antarctica
Location of Esperanza Base in Antarctica
Esperanza Base
Location of Esperanza Base in Antarctica
Coordinates: 63°23′54″S 56°59′46″W / 63.3983333°S 56.9961111°W / -63.3983333; -56.9961111
Country Argentina
Region
Location
Administered byArgentine Antarctic Institute (under the supervision of the Argentine National Antarctic Directorate)
EstablishedDecember 17, 1953 (1953-12-17)
Named forSpanish: Base Esperanza
("Hope Base")
Area
 • Urban
[lower-alpha 1]
0.3744 ha (0.9252 acres)
Elevation
[1]
25 m (82 ft)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Summer
116
 • Winter
56
UN/LOCODEAQ ESP
TypeAll-year round
PeriodAnnual
StatusOperational
Activities
List
  • Limnology
  • Glaciology
  • Seismology
  • Oceanography
  • Geology

Esperanza Base (Spanish: Base Esperanza, 'Hope Base') is a permanent, all-year-round Argentine research station in Hope Bay, Trinity Peninsula (in Graham Land on the Antarctic Peninsula). It is one of only two civilian settlements in Antarctica (the other being the Chilean Villa Las Estrellas). The base's motto is Permanencia, un acto de sacrificio ('Permanence, an act of sacrifice').

Description

Esperanza Base seen from Hope Bay

Built in 1953,[2][3][4] the base houses 56 inhabitants in winter, including 10 families and 2 school teachers. Provincial school #38 Presidente Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín (formerly named Julio Argentino Roca) was founded in 1978 and acquired independent status in 1997. It maintains the furthest South Scout troop. The base has an Argentine civil register office where births and weddings are recorded.[5] The base has tourist facilities that are visited by about 1,100 tourists each year. The LRA 36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel radio station started transmitting in 1979 and currently broadcasts on shortwave and FM. A wind generator was installed in 2008, mounted by INVAP.[6]

The 43 buildings of the station have a combined space of 3,744 square metres (40,300 sq ft) covered;[7] 18,000 litres (4,800 US gal) of fuel are used annually by the four generators to produce electricity for the station. Research projects include: glaciology, seismology, oceanography, coastal ecology, biology, geology, and limnology.

In the Hope Bay incident in 1952, this area was also the scene of the only shots fired in anger in Antarctica, when an Argentine shore party fired a machine gun over the heads of a Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey team unloading supplies from the John Biscoe to rebuild its damaged base. Following the Argentine show of force, the British team returned to the Falkland Islands. Shortly afterwards, Argentina issued a diplomatic apology, saying there had been a misunderstanding and the military commander on the ground had exceeded his authority. Despite this initial outward show of deference, the party was later welcomed back to Argentina with a hero's welcome. In the meantime, the John Biscoe had returned from the Falklands with a military escort and completed rebuilding the British base.[8] The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 now treats the continent as a laboratory open to all, and provides that "no acts or activities ... shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty."[9]

People

The base was the birthplace of Emilio Palma, the first person to be born in Antarctica. There have been at least ten other children born at the base.[10][11]

Climate

Like the rest of the Antarctic Peninsula, the base has a polar climate characterized by strong winds that descend downwards from the Antarctic ice sheet.[12] These winds can exceed 250 km/h (160 mph), leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.[12] The climate is classified as a polar tundra (ET) climate in the Köppen system.[13]

Mean monthly temperatures range from −10.8 °C (12.6 °F) in July, the coldest month, to 1.5 °C (34.7 °F) in January, the warmest month.[12] During summer (December–February), the average high is between 3.8 and 4.3 °C (38.8 and 39.7 °F) while the average low is between −2.0 and −1.2 °C (28.4 and 29.8 °F).[12] In winter, mean temperatures are around −10.2 °C (13.6 °F).[12] A temperature of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) was recorded on 24 March 2015.[14] This reading was the highest temperature ever recorded on mainland Antarctica and its surrounding islands, until on 6 February 2020, a new high of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) was recorded at the base, being the current record and considered by the World Meteorological Organization to be the highest temperature ever recorded for mainland Antarctica and its surrounding islands.[15][16] The lowest temperature ever recorded is −38.4 °C (−37.1 °F) on 18 July 1994.[17]

The temperature trend since 1948 is +0.0315 °C/yr (+0.0567 °F/yr) (annual), +0.0413 °C/yr (+0.0743 °F/yr) (winter) and +0.0300 °C/yr (+0.0540 °F/yr) (summer).

Climate data for Esperanza (1991–2020, extremes 1945–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.9
(58.8)		 18.3
(64.9)		 17.5
(63.5)		 17.1
(62.8)		 17.2
(63.0)		 13.3
(55.9)		 14.0
(57.2)		 13.0
(55.4)		 11.4
(52.5)		 17.0
(62.6)		 14.3
(57.7)		 14.6
(58.3)		 18.3
(64.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.3
(39.7)		 3.9
(39.0)		 1.4
(34.5)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 −3.2
(26.2)		 −6.2
(20.8)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 −5.1
(22.8)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 −0.2
(31.6)		 2.3
(36.1)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −0.8
(30.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 1.5
(34.7)		 0.9
(33.6)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 −5.5
(22.1)		 −7.4
(18.7)		 −10.4
(13.3)		 −10.8
(12.6)		 −9.5
(14.9)		 −6.9
(19.6)		 −4.1
(24.6)		 −0.9
(30.4)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −4.5
(23.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −1.2
(29.8)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 −5.2
(22.6)		 −8.9
(16.0)		 −11.2
(11.8)		 −14.1
(6.6)		 −15.0
(5.0)		 −13.7
(7.3)		 −10.9
(12.4)		 −7.8
(18.0)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 −8.0
(17.6)
Record low °C (°F) −8.5
(16.7)		 −13.2
(8.2)		 −20.9
(−5.6)		 −26.0
(−14.8)		 −29.6
(−21.3)		 −30.0
(−22.0)		 −38.4
(−37.1)		 −32.0
(−25.6)		 −32.6
(−26.7)		 −23.2
(−9.8)		 −18.0
(−0.4)		 −9.7
(14.5)		 −38.4
(−37.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 56.2
(2.21)		 65.0
(2.56)		 75.5
(2.97)		 59.1
(2.33)		 54.4
(2.14)		 47.4
(1.87)		 54.1
(2.13)		 72.1
(2.84)		 62.2
(2.45)		 56.4
(2.22)		 65.0
(2.56)		 59.0
(2.32)		 726.4
(28.60)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 14 14 17 17 14 11 13 15 15 15 16 16 177
Average snowy days 13.6 12.1 14.8 16.0 15.4 14.8 15.2 15.4 15.1 16.6 15.5 14.1 178.6
Average relative humidity (%) 82 80 80 80 80 79 80 80 79 80 81 80 80
Mean monthly sunshine hours 167.4 130.0 93.0 63.0 27.9 6.0 18.6 52.7 87.0 130.2 159.0 186.0 1,120.8
Mean daily sunshine hours 5.4 4.6 3.0 2.1 0.9 0.2 0.6 1.7 2.9 4.2 5.3 6.0 3.1
Source 1: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (temperature/snowy days/sun 1991–2020, precipitation 1961–1990),[18][19][20][21] NOAA (precipitation 1961–1990)[22]
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),[17] Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity, 1982–1995)[23]

Historic site

Grunden Rock Lighthouse
LocationGrunden Rock, Esperanza Base, Antarctic Treaty area, Trinity Peninsula, Antarctica
Coordinates63°24′S 57°00′W / 63.4°S 57°W / -63.4; -57
Tower
Constructed1952 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionglass fiber (tower), concrete (foundation) Edit this on Wikidata
Automated1994 Edit this on Wikidata
Height6 m (20 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapecylinder Edit this on Wikidata
Markingsred (tower) Edit this on Wikidata, stripe (2, black, horizontal) Edit this on Wikidata
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorArgentine Navy Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1994 Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height26 m (85 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Range8.9 nmi (16.5 km; 10.2 mi), 6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl W 2s Edit this on Wikidata
Cemetery at Esperanza Station
Cemetery at Esperanza Station

A group of items or structures of historic significance at, or close to, the base have been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 40), following a proposal by Argentina to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. These comprise a bust of General San Martin, a grotto with a statue of the Virgin of Lujan, a flagpole erected in 1955, and a cemetery with a stele commemorating Argentine expedition members who died in the area.[24]

General Martín Güemes Refuge

Refuge General Martín Güemes is the name given to two shelters in Antarctica. The first one is covered by ice, the second one is active. The refuge is Administered by the Argentine Army and depends on Esperanza Base, which is responsible for maintenance and care. The two refuges are located on the Tabarin Peninsula on the eastern tip of the Trinity Peninsula on the Antarctic Peninsula 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Esperanza.The refuges pay homage to Martín Miguel de Güemes, a military man who served an outstanding role in the Argentine war of independence.

General Martín Güemes I Refuge

The first refuge 63°29′00″S 57°00′00″W / 63.483333°S 57°W / -63.483333; -57 was located on the north east coast of the Duse Bay of the Trinity Peninsula and opened on October 23, 1953. Jorge Edgar Leal, at that time head of the newly created Esperanza Base, participated in its construction, being one of the first refuges installed by the Army and the second in the continental Antarctica. The refuge was destroyed by the ice in 1960.

General Martín Güemes II Refuge

The second refuge 63°30′14″S 57°07′25″W / 63.503911°S 57.123603°W / -63.503911; -57.123603 is active and is located in the Tabarin Peninsula and was inaugurated on September 15, 1959. It has capacity for six people, food for a month, fuel, gas and a first aid kit.[25]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Indoors area

Further reading

  • Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.
  • Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73.
  • Lonely Planet, Antarctica: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit, Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet Publications, 1996, 302-304.
  • Stewart, Andrew, Antarctica: An Encyclopedia. London: McFarland and Co., 1990 (2 volumes), p. 469.
  • U.S. National Science Foundation, Geographic Names of the Antarctic, Fred G. Alberts, ed. Washington: NSF, 1980.

References

  1. 1 2 Antarctic Station Catalogue (PDF) (catalogue). Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. August 2017. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-473-40409-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Gral. Jorge Leal: un expedicionario en la Antártida". Canal Encuentro (in Spanish). Presidencia de la Nación. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "official site". Ejército Argentino (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  4. ↑ "Base Antártica Esperanza". marambio.aq (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Registro civil "Base Esperanza"". Ejército Argentino (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  6. ↑ INVAP (25 May 2010). IVS-4500 en Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina - "Hielos míticos" (Daniel Bazan, 2008) (YouTube). Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  7. ↑ Google Earth satellite images
  8. ↑ Beck, Peter J. (2014). The International Politics of Antarctica. Google Books: Routledge. p. 35. ISBN 9781317700968. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  9. ↑ Sullivan, Walter (24 May 1982). "1948 (sic) BRITISH-ARGENTINE CLASHES IN ANTARCTIC ENDED PEACEFULLY". New York Times. Section A. p. 8. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  10. ↑ 60 años de Base Esperanza Archived 2018-06-14 at the Wayback Machine - Fundación Marambio
  11. ↑ El primer antártico es argentino Archived December 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine - Fundación Marambio
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Base Esperanza" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  13. ↑ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson B. L. & McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606.
  14. ↑ Mccarthy, Tom (31 March 2015). "Antarctica records unprecedented high temperatures in two new readings". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "New record for Antarctic continent reported". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  16. ↑ "WMO verifies one temperature record for Antarctic continent and rejects another". World Meteorological Organization. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Station Base Esperanza" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales - período 1991-2020" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  19. ↑ Nacional, Servicio Meteorológico (2023). "Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales – período 1991–2020" (PDF) (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "B. Espernza Statistical Data (1961-1990)" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Valores Medios de Temperatura y Precipitación-Antártida: Base Esperanza" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Base Esperanza Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Klimatafel von Esperanza (Argentinien) / Antarkt. Halbinsel / Antarktis" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  24. ↑ "List of Historic Sites and Monuments approved by the ATCM (2012)" (PDF). Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  25. ↑ es:Refugio General Martín Güemes
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