Base Primavera

Primavera Base
Base Primavera
Estación Primavera
Antarctic base

View of Primavera, austral summer of 2010

View of Primavera, austral summer of 2010
Location within Antarctica
Primavera Base

Location within Antarctica

Coordinates: 64°09′S 60°57′W / 64.150°S 60.950°W / -64.150; -60.950Coordinates: 64°09′S 60°57′W / 64.150°S 60.950°W / -64.150; -60.950
Country  Argentina
Province Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands Province
Department Antártida Argentina
Region San Martín Land, Antarctic Peninsula
Location Primavera Cape, Cierva Cove, Danco Coast
Settled March 3, 1977 (1977-03-03) (1976–77 austral summer season)
Named for Spanish: Cabo Primavera ("Primavera Cape")
Government
  Type Directorate
  Body Dirección Nacional del Antártico
  Operator Instituto Antártico Argentino
Elevation 50 m (160 ft)
Population [1]
  • Summer: 17
  • Winter: none
Time zone ART (UTC-3)
Type Summer-only
Status Active and operational
Facilities
  • Main house
  • Dining room
  • Heliport
  • Infirmary
  • Radio station
  • Vehicle fleet
  • Laboratory
  • Workshop (mechanical, carpentry)
  • Freezing chamber
  • Deposits
Map of Gerlache Strait region, Cartographic base: Antarctic Digital Database www.add.scar.org/

Primavera Base (Spanish: Base Primavera or sometimes Estación Primavera) is an Argentine Antarctic base and scientific research station. It is located on Primavera Cape, Cierva Cove, on San Martín Land, Antarctic Peninsula.

As of 2014 Primavera is one of 13 research bases in Antarctica operated by Argentina.[2] From 1977 to 1982 it served as a permanent base; since then it is open during the summer season only.[3]

History

On 23 January 1954, Argentine Navy personnel inaugurated the Capitán Cobbett Naval Refuge on a rocky promontory on Primavera Cape, along the southwestern coast of Cierva Cove in the north access to the Gerlache Strait.[3] Over many years this building was used by Argentine exploration expeditions to the area.[3]

On 3 March 1977, seeking to strengthen the Argentine sovereign presence over Antarctica and specifically, the expansion of scientific studies on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, a task force of the Argentine Army settled in Primavera Cape.[3]

Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Carro and eight men under his command expanded the Capitán Cobbett refuge, setting up all the facilities needed to support the Argentine Antarctic Institute–commissioned scientists. Such buildings included two small houses, a basic bathroom and a deposit. A freezing chamber, two shelters, power plant and radio station were added later.[3] As a secondary mission the small expedition carried out detailed meteorological and glaciological observations.[3]

Since 1982 the base is activated only during the austral summer campaigns.[3]

Description

Formed by a large granite massif, the steep promontory where Primavera lies on benefits from a microclimate that favors both human activity and the development of rich flora and fauna:[3]

The base is located within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as designated by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).[3]

As of 2014 Primavera is only inhabited during summer, and has 11 buildings for housing a maximum of 17 people,[1] a crew usually made up by a staff of 6 Argentine scientists, 4 invited foreign ones and 7 army personnel. Some of the base's critical facilities are the main house, dining room, heliport, infirmary, power plant, vehicle fleet, laboratory, workshop (mechanical, carpentry) and deposits.[1][3] The heliport is only usable during summer.[1]

The main activities at the base are centered on area logistics; general maintenance of domestic buildings, neighboring shelters, and search and rescue capabilities; support for scientific activities, medical and meteorological expeditions, nearby bases, and ships and aircraft, both local and foreign.[3]

Scientific activities

Some of the scientific research programs locally carried out include limnology, ornithology, study of mosses and lichen species and their ecological impact.[3]

Climate

Owing to the mild microclimate within the bay, the maximum and minimum temperatures range between the relatively moderate 13 °C (55 °F) and −20 °C (−4 °F). Similarly, recorded wind speeds average 45 km/h (28 mph) blowing mostly from the northwest.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Intercambio de información – Información Permanente". Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013.
  2. "Argentine Antarctic Stations". Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Base de Ejército Primavera" (in Spanish). Fundación Marambio. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014.

External links

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