British Antarctic Survey

Operation Tabarin was a small British expedition in 1943 to establish permanently occupied bases in the Antarctic. It was a joint undertaking by the Admiralty and the Colonial Office. At the end of the war it was renamed the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) and full control passed to the Colonial Office. At this time there were four stations, three occupied and one unoccupied. By the time FIDS was renamed the British Antarctic Survey in 1962, 19 stations and three refuges had been established.{{cite web| url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/| title=British Research Stations and Refuges – History| publisher=British Antarctic Survey| access-date=30 March 2021}}

In 2012 the parent body, NERC, proposed merging the BAS with another NERC institute, National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/29/antarctic-base-ozone-government-cuts| title=Antarctic research at risk as government cuts back on science| first=Robin |last=McKie| newspaper=The Observer| date=29 September 2012| access-date=4 November 2012}} This proved controversial, and after the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee opposed the move{{cite web| url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/1201031-nerc-report/| title=Think again on British Antarctic Survey merger say Science and Technology Committee|date=31 October 2012| publisher=UK Parliament Website| access-date=4 November 2012}} the plan was dropped.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/04/duncan-wingham-british-antarctic-survey| title=Research boss Wingham in trouble over British Antarctic Survey claim| first1=Damian |last1=Carrington |first2=Robin |last2=McKie| date=4 November 2012| newspaper=The Observer| access-date=4 November 2012}} Since April 2018 NERC has been part of UK Research and Innovation.{{cite web |title=Who we are |url=https://www.ukri.org/about-us/who-we-are/ |website=UK Research and Innovation |access-date=30 March 2021}}

File:British Antarctic Survey Seal.gif

In 1956, the FID Scientific Bureau and FIDS Rear Base were combined into a single FIDS London Office, with a Director for the first time responsible for the whole London operation.{{cite book |last1=Fuchs |first1=Sir Vivian E. |title=Of Ice and Men. The Story of the British Antarctic Survey 1943-1973 |date=1982 |publisher=Anthony Nelson}}

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes service as acting director|border=black}}

{{Location map+ | Antarctica

| width = 250

| caption = BAS research stations in the British Antarctic Territory

| places =

{{Location map~ | Antarctica

| label = Sky Blu

| position = bottom

| lat_deg = -74.856344

| lon_deg = -71.586822

}}

{{Location map~ | Antarctica

| label = Fossil Bluff

| lat_deg = -71.311515

| lon_deg = -68.32354

}}

{{Location map~ | Antarctica

| label = Signy

| lat_deg = -60.708137

| lon_deg = -45.594888

}}

{{Location map~ | Antarctica

| label = Halley VI

| lat_deg = -75.612543

| lon_deg = -26.197797

}}

{{Location map~ | Antarctica

| label = Rothera

| position = top

| lat_deg = -67.568417

| lon_deg = -68.125796

}}

}}

The BAS operates five permanent research stations in the British Antarctic Territory:

• Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island
• Halley Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf
• Signy Research Station on Signy Island
• Fossil Bluff logistics facility on Alexander Island
• Sky Blu logistics facility in Ellsworth Land

Of these Research Stations, only Rothera is staffed throughout the year.{{cite journal |url=http://www.ingenia.org.uk/ingenia/articles.aspx?Index=334 |title=Extreme Engineering |first=David |last=Blake |journal=Ingenia |issue=24 |date=September 2005 |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002145750/http://www.ingenia.org.uk/ingenia/articles.aspx?Index=334 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |url-status=dead }} Before 2017 Halley was also open year-round.{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/12035138/The-ice-station-that-needs-saving-from-the-abyss.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/12035138/The-ice-station-that-needs-saving-from-the-abyss.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| title=The ice station that needs saving from the abyss| author=Patrick Sawer| date=5 Dec 2015| publisher=The Telegraph| access-date=11 Nov 2018}}{{cbignore}}

{{Gallery

|title=Antarctic research stations

|width=100 |height=100

|align=center

|File:BAS Rothera.jpg|Rothera Research Station

|File:Halley VI Antarctic Research Station - view from North East.jpg| Halley VI{{cite web | title = Research Stations in Antarctica | work = British Antarctic Survey | url = http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/index.php | access-date = 31 December 2007}}

|File:Sky blu from the air.jpg|Sky Blu

|File:Signy Research Station.jpg|Signy

|File:Fossil Bluff Hut.jpg|Fossil Bluff

}}

{{Location map+ | United Kingdom South Georgia

| width = 250

| AlternativeMap = South Georgia location map.svg

| caption = BAS research stations in South Georgia

| places =

{{Location map~ | United Kingdom South Georgia

| label = Bird Island

| position = top

| lat_deg = -54.005556

| lon_deg = -38.05

}}

{{Location map~ | United Kingdom South Georgia

| label = King Edward Point

| position = bottom

| lat_deg = -54.283333

| lon_deg = -36.5

}}

}}

The BAS also operates two permanent bases on South Georgia:

• King Edward Point Research Station at King Edward Point
• Bird Island Research Station on Bird Island

Both South Georgia bases are staffed throughout the year.

Image:BAS hq1.jpg

The headquarters of the BAS are in the university city of Cambridge, on Madingley Road. This facility provides offices, laboratories and workshops to support the scientific and logistic activities in the Antarctic.{{cite web| title=BAS Cambridge| work=British Antarctic Survey| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_bas/our_organisation/cambridge.php| access-date=31 December 2007| archive-date=5 October 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005172906/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_bas/our_organisation/cambridge.php| url-status=dead}}

The BAS also operates the Ny-Ålesund Research Station on behalf of the NERC. This is an Arctic research base located at Ny-Ålesund on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen.{{cite web| title=Ny-Ålesund Arctic Research Station| work=British Antarctic Survey| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/ny_alesund/index.php| access-date=2 January 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223152907/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/ny_alesund/index.php| archive-date=23 December 2007| df=dmy-all}}

{{Main|Royal Research Ship}}

Image:RRS Sir David Attenborough at Liverpool Cruise Terminal 3.jpg docked in Liverpool]]

As of 2021, the Survey operates one ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, for support of Arctic and Antarctic research operations, and other logistical work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/ship/|title = Research ships}} It replaced RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton, which were sold in 2021 and returned to its owners in 2019, respectively. Originally, the Admiralty provided the FIDS{{refn|group=nb|Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, direct predecessor to the BAS}} with ship support. In 1947 the Survey purchased their first vessel, which was named MV John Biscoe, and in 1953 the same ship was granted Royal Research Ship status. Since then the Survey has owned and chartered several vessels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/history-of-bas-ships/|title = History of BAS ships}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/history-of-bas-ships/john-biscoe-1/|title=MV/RRS John Biscoe (1)}}

Vessels depart from the United Kingdom in September or October of each year and return to the United Kingdom in the following May or June. Vessels undergo refit and drydock during the Antarctic winter, but are also used elsewhere during this period.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

The civilian ships operated by the BAS are complemented by the capabilities of the Royal Navy's ice patrol vessel that operates in the same waters. Until 2008 this was {{HMS|Endurance|A171|6}}, a Class 1A1 icebreaker. Endurance's two Lynx helicopters enabled BAS staff to get to remote field sites that BAS aircraft could not access.{{cite web| title=HMS Endurance – Ice Patrol Vessel| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_ships/hms_endurance/index.php| work=British Antarctic Survey| access-date=31 December 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607111728/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_ships/hms_endurance/index.php| archive-date=7 June 2011}} However, a catastrophic flooding accident left Endurance badly damaged, with a replacement only being procured in 2011. This ship, {{HMS|Protector|A173|6}}, first deployed to the Antarctic in November 2011.{{cite web| title=Protector sails on her debut voyage to the ice| url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2011/November/29/111129-HW-Protector-Deploys| work=Royal Navy| access-date=1 December 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202001320/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2011/November/29/111129-HW-Protector-Deploys| archive-date=2 December 2011| df=dmy-all}}

File:VP-FBC (21037920214).jpg

Image:DHC-7-dash-7.jpg at Port Stanley Airport on the Falkland Islands]]

BAS operates five aircraft in support of its research programme in Antarctica. The aircraft used are all made by de Havilland Canada and comprise four Twin Otters and one Dash 7 (as of August 2019).{{cite journal|title=Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)|journal=Airliner World|issue=October 2019|page=13}} The planes are maintained by Rocky Mountain Aircraft in Springbank, Alberta, Canada. During the Antarctic summer the aircraft are based at the Rothera base, which has a 900-metre gravel runway. During the Antarctic winter, conditions preclude flying and the aircraft return to Canada.{{cite web| title=Aircraft in Antarctica| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php| work=British Antarctic Survey| access-date=31 December 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129092148/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php| archive-date=29 January 2008| df=dmy-all}}

The larger Dash 7 undertakes regular shuttle flights between either Port Stanley Airport on the Falkland Islands, or Punta Arenas in Chile, and Rothera. It also operates to and from the ice runway at the Sky Blu base. The smaller Twin Otters are equipped with skis for landing on snow and ice in remote areas, and operate out of the bases at Rothera, Fossil Bluff, Halley and Sky Blu.

File:RRS Ernest Shackleton BB.jpg outward bound from Portsmouth, UK, 12 November 2008]]

In 1985, the British Antarctic Survey discovered the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. The finding was made by a team of three BAS scientists: Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin. Their work was confirmed by satellite data, and was met with worldwide concern.{{cite web |url= https://www.bas.ac.uk/data/our-data/publication/the-ozone-layer/ |title=The Ozone Layer |work=British Antarctic Survey |date=18 May 2015 |access-date=30 November 2015}}

In January 2008, a team of British Antarctic Survey scientists, led by Hugh Corr and David Vaughan, reported that 2,200 years ago, a volcano erupted under Antarctica's ice sheet (based on airborne survey with radar images). The biggest eruption in the last 10,000 years, the volcanic ash was found deposited on the ice surface under the Hudson Mountains, close to Pine Island Glacier.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7194579.stm| first=Richard |last=Black| work=BBC News| title=Ancient Antarctic eruption noted| access-date=28 March 2010 | date=20 January 2008}}

In 2020, a team reported that emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica were nearly 20% more numerous than previously thought, with new discoveries made using satellite mapping technology.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/05/throng-of-new-penguin-colonies-in-antarctica-spotted-from-space|title=Throng of new penguin colonies in Antarctica spotted from space|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/scientists-discover-new-penguin-colonies-from-space/|title=Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|work=British Antarctic Survey}}

The BAS runs an online [http://www.photo.antarctica.ac.uk/external/guest polar image collection] which includes imagery of scientific research at the poles, logistics operations, and the continent and its wildlife. The image collection is run by British cameraman and photographer Pete Bucktrout, who has visited the continent eleven times during his 24 years working for BAS. His work has been seen in newspapers and on television around the world.

• Instituto Antártico Argentino (Argentine Antarctic Institute)
• Instituto Antártico Chileno (Chilean Antarctic Institute)
• Operation Tabarin
• British Antarctic Territory
• Faraday Research Station
• List of organizations based in Antarctica
• National Antarctic Program

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |title=History of BAS Research Stations |url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/ |website=British Antarctic Survey, history |access-date=25 March 2021}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Bingham |first1=E. W. |title=The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, 1946-47 |journal=Polar Record |date=1947 |volume=5 |issue=33–34 |pages=27–39|doi=10.1017/S0032247400037165 |bibcode=1947PoRec...5...27B |s2cid=140158872 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Bryan |first1=Rorke |title=Ordeal by Ice: Ships of the Antarctic |date=2011 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Dudeney |first1=J. R. |last2=Walton |first2=D. W. |title=From Scotia to Operation Tabarin - Developing British Policy for Antarctica |journal=Polar Record |date=2012 |volume=48 |issue=4 |pages=342–360|doi=10.1017/S0032247411000520 |bibcode=2012PoRec..48..342D |s2cid=145613031 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Fogg |first1=G. E. |title=A History of Antarctic Science |date=1992 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Fuchs |first1=V. E. |title=The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, 1947-50 |journal=Polar Record |date=1951 |volume=6 |issue=41 |pages=7–27|doi=10.1017/S0032247400040894 |bibcode=1951PoRec...6....7F |s2cid=251050677 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Fuchs |first1=Sir Vivian E. |title=Evolution of a Venture in Antarctic Science - Operation Tabarin and the British Antarctic Survey in Frozen Future edited by Lewis, R. S. and Smith, P.M. |date=1973 |publisher=Quadrangle Books |location=New York |pages=234–239}}
• {{cite book|last=Haddelsey|first=S.|date=2014|title=Operation Tabarin: Britain's Secret Wartime Expedition to Antarctica, 1944–46|location=Stroud|publisher=History Press|isbn=9780752493565}}
• {{cite book |last1=Headland |first1=Robert K. |title=A Chronology of Antarctic Exploration |date=2020 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}
• {{cite book |last1=James |first1=D. P. |title=That Frozen Land |date=1949 |publisher=Falcon Press}}
• {{cite book |last1=Pearce |first1=Gerry |title=Operation Tabarin 1943-45 and its Postal History |date=2018 |publisher=Gerry Pearce |isbn=978-1-78926-580-4}}
• {{cite book |last1=Robertson |first1=S. C. |title=Operation Tabarin |date=1993 |publisher=BAS}} Information booklet produced for 50th anniversary.
• {{cite book |last1=Walton |first1=Kevin |last2=Atkinson |first2=Rick |title=Of Dogs and Men: Fifty Years in the Antarctic. Illustrated Story of the Dogs of the British Antarctic Survey |date=1995 |publisher=Images (Booksellers & Distributors) Ltd |isbn=1-897817-55-X}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Wordie |first1=J. M. |title=The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, 1943-6 |journal=Polar Record |date=1946 |volume=4 |issue=32 |pages=372–384|doi=10.1017/S0032247400042479 |bibcode=1946PoRec...4..372W |s2cid=129588807 }}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.photo.antarctica.ac.uk/ Polar Picture Library]
• [http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/ Discovering Antarctica — teaching and learning resources on Antarctica]
• [https://www.bas.ac.uk/science/our-research/ BAS science programmes]
• [https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/station/ BAS research stations]
• [https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/bgc/ BAS Online Palaeontology Collection]
• [https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/ BAS history]
• [https://basclub.org/oral-history/ British Antarctic Oral History Project] - Includes interviews with many who served with Tabarin, FIDS and BAS.
• [https://basclub.org/ BAS Club] - A membership club for those employed by, or closely associated with, BAS and its predecessors (Operation Tabarin, FIDS)

{{Polar exploration|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Antarctica research agencies

Category:British Antarctic Territory

Category:Buildings and structures in Cambridge

Category:Natural Environment Research Council

Category:Scientific organizations established in 1943

Category:Organisations based in Cambridge

Category:Environment of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Category:United Kingdom and the Antarctic

Category:Buildings and structures in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Category:Partner institutions of the University of Cambridge