Esperanza Base

{{Multiple issues|

}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Esperanza Base

| native_name = Base Esperanza

| native_name_lang = es

| settlement_type = All year Antarctic base with civilian presence

| image_skyline = Hope Bay-2016-Trinity Peninsula–Esperanza Station 03.jpg

| image_alt = View of Esperanza Base, January 2016

| image_caption = View of Esperanza Base, January 2016

| imagesize = 300

| image_blank_emblem = Base Esperanza.png

| blank_emblem_type = Emblem

| blank_emblem_size =

| blank_emblem_alt = Official Esperanza Base emblem

| nickname =

| motto = {{langx|es|Permanencia, un acto de sacrificio}}
("Permanence, an act of sacrifice")

| pushpin_map = Antarctica

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Esperanza Base in Antarctica

| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Esperanza Base in Antarctica

| pushpin_mapsize = 300

| pushpin_relief = yes

| coordinates = {{coord|63.3983333|S|56.9961111|W|format=dms|region:AQ|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|Argentina}}

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = {{plainlist|

| subdivision_type2 = Location

| subdivision_name2 = {{plainlist|

| subdivision_type3 = Administered by

| subdivision_name3 = Argentine Antarctic Institute (under the supervision of the Argentine National Antarctic Directorate)

| established_title = Established

| established_date = {{start date|1953|12|17}}

| named_for = {{langx|es|Base Esperanza}}
("Hope Base")

| area_urban_footnotes = {{efn|Indoors area}}

| area_magnitude =

| area_urban_ha = 0.3744

| elevation_m = 25

| elevation_footnotes =

| leader_title =

| leader_name =

| unit_pref = metric

| population_as_of = 2017

| population_footnotes = {{cite report |type=catalogue |url=https://www.comnap.aq/s/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |title=Antarctic Station Catalogue |date=August 2017 |publisher=Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs |isbn=978-0-473-40409-3 |page=13 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022102847/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61073506e9b0073c7eaaf464/t/611497cc1ece1b43f0eeca8a/1628739608968/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2022 |url-status=live}}

| population_total =

| population_blank1_title = Summer

| population_blank1 = 116

| population_blank2_title = Winter

| population_blank2 = 56

| blank_name_sec1 = Type

| blank_info_sec1 = All-year round

| blank1_name_sec1 = Period

| blank1_info_sec1 = Annual

| blank2_name_sec1 = Status

| blank2_info_sec1 = Operational

| blank_name_sec2 = Activities

| blank_info_sec2 = {{Collapsible list |bullets=on |Limnology |Glaciology |Seismology |Oceanography |Geology}}

| code1_name = UN/LOCODE

| code1_info = AQ ESP

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

Esperanza Base ({{langx|es|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 the only civilian settlement on the Antarctic mainland (the Chilean Villa Las Estrellas is on the South Shetland Islands). The base's motto is Permanencia, un acto de sacrificio ('Permanence, an act of sacrifice').

Description

File:Esperanza Station anta0060.jpg

Built in 1953,{{cite web |url=http://www.encuentro.gov.ar/sitios/encuentro/programas/ver?rec_id=121323 |title=Gral. Jorge Leal: un expedicionario en la Antártida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027184054/http://www.encuentro.gov.ar/sitios/encuentro/programas/ver?rec_id=121323 |archive-date=27 October 2014 |access-date=20 April 2019 |work=Canal Encuentro |language=es |publisher=Presidencia de la Nación}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/antartico/ESPERANZA/B_esp_hist.htm |title=official site |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606010200/http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/antartico/ESPERANZA/B_esp_hist.htm |archive-date=6 June 2011 |language=es |access-date=20 April 2019 |work=Ejército Argentino}}{{cite web |url=http://www.marambio.aq/esperanza.htm |title=Base Antártica Esperanza |work=marambio.aq |access-date=20 April 2019 |language=es}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/antartico/RegistroCivil.html |title=Registro civil "Base Esperanza" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117124815/http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/antartico/RegistroCivil.html |archive-date=January 17, 2010 |access-date=20 April 2019 |language=es |work=Ejército Argentino}} 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 15476 kHz shortwave and 96.7 MHz FM. It is one of the southernmost radio stations in the world and its range signal includes audio identification in multiple languages.{{cite web |url=http://www.marambio.aq/audio/larosadetokiolra36.html |title=Identificaciones varias de LRA36 a través del tiempo |editor=Fundación Marambio |language=es}} The host of "Panorama Nacional" Marcelo Ayala told at the beginning of 2024 about his life experience and broadcast by LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel.{{cite web|url=https://www.radionacional.com.ar/la-experiencia-de-hacer-radio-desde-la-antartida-argentina/ |title=La experiencia de hacer radio desde la Antártida Argentina|date=17 January 2024|accessdate=16 February 2024 |editor=radionacional.com.ar|language=es}}

A wind generator was installed in 2008, mounted by INVAP.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWOcJM0th6U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/nWOcJM0th6U| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=IVS-4500 en Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina - "Hielos míticos" (Daniel Bazan, 2008). |date=25 May 2010 |access-date=20 April 2019 |author=INVAP |author-link=INVAP |medium=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

The 43 buildings of the station have a combined space of {{convert|3744|m2|sqft}} covered;Google Earth satellite images {{convert|18000|L|USgal}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Peter J. |title=The International Politics of Antarctica |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |location=Google Books |isbn=9781317700968 |pages=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlLXAwAAQBAJ&q=%22hope+bay+incident%22&pg=PA35 |access-date=1 February 2020}} 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."{{cite news |title=1948 (sic) BRITISH-ARGENTINE CLASHES IN ANTARCTIC ENDED PEACEFULLY |url=https://nyti.ms/29yLCOi |work=New York Times |date=24 May 1982 |access-date=7 February 2020 |location=Section A |page=8|last1=Sullivan |first1=Walter }}

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.[http://www.marambio.aq/appaa/GACETILLA2014.pdf 60 años de Base Esperanza] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121431/http://www.marambio.aq/appaa/GACETILLA2014.pdf |date=2018-06-14 }} - Fundación Marambio[http://www.marambio.aq/anecdotas/espirituguemesiano.html El primer antártico es argentino] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206214603/http://www.marambio.aq/anecdotas/espirituguemesiano.html |date=December 6, 2014 }} - Fundación Marambio

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.{{cite web |url= http://www3.smn.gob.ar/serviciosclimaticos/?mod=elclima&id=67 |language = es |title= Base Esperanza |publisher= Servicio Meteorológico Nacional |access-date= 4 March 2017}} These winds can exceed {{convert|250|km/h|abbr=on}}, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. The climate is classified as a polar tundra (ET) climate in the Köppen system.{{cite journal |author1=Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson B. L. |author3=McMahon, T. A. |name-list-style=amp |year= 2007 |title= Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification |journal= Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |volume= 11 |issue=5 |pages = 1633–1644 |doi= 10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P |url= http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |issn= 1027-5606|doi-access= free }}

Mean monthly temperatures range from {{convert|-10.8|C|F|1}} in July, the coldest month, to {{convert|1.5|C|F|1}} in January, the warmest month. During summer (December–February), the average high is between {{convert|3.8|and|4.3|C|F|1}} while the average low is between {{convert|-2.0|and|-1.2|C|F|1}}. In winter, mean temperatures are around {{convert|-10.2|C|F|1}}. A temperature of {{convert|17.5|C}} was recorded on 24 March 2015.{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/31/potential-record-high-temperature-in-antarctica-alarms-scientists |title= Antarctica records unprecedented high temperatures in two new readings |last= Mccarthy |first= Tom |work= The Guardian |date= 31 March 2015 |access-date= 8 July 2015}} This reading was the highest temperature ever recorded on mainland Antarctica and its surrounding islands, until on 6 February 2020, a new high of {{convert|18.3|C}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://wmo.int/media/news/new-record-antarctic-continent-reported |title=New record for Antarctic continent reported |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=7 February 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-verifies-one-temperature-record-antarctic-continent-and-rejects-another |title=WMO verifies one temperature record for Antarctic continent and rejects another |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |date=1 July 2021 |access-date=3 July 2021}} The lowest temperature ever recorded is {{convert|-38.4|C|F}} on 18 July 1994.

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).

{{Weather box

|location = Esperanza (1991–2020, extremes 1945–present)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|temperature colour =

|Jan record high C = 14.9

|Feb record high C = 18.3

|Mar record high C = 17.5

|Apr record high C = 17.1

|May record high C = 17.2

|Jun record high C = 13.3

|Jul record high C = 14.0

|Aug record high C = 13.0

|Sep record high C = 11.4

|Oct record high C = 17.0

|Nov record high C = 14.3

|Dec record high C = 14.6

|year record high C = 18.3

|Jan high C = 4.3

|Feb high C = 3.9

|Mar high C = 1.4

|Apr high C = -1.7

|May high C = -3.2

|Jun high C = -6.2

|Jul high C = -6.4

|Aug high C = -5.1

|Sep high C = -2.6

|Oct high C = -0.2

|Nov high C = 2.3

|Dec high C = 3.8

|year high C = -0.8

|Jan mean C = 1.5

|Feb mean C = 0.9

|Mar mean C = -2.0

|Apr mean C = -5.5

|May mean C = -7.4

|Jun mean C = -10.4

|Jul mean C = -10.8

|Aug mean C = -9.5

|Sep mean C = -6.9

|Oct mean C = -4.1

|Nov mean C = -0.9

|Dec mean C = 0.8

|year mean C = -4.5

|Jan low C = -1.2

|Feb low C = -2.0

|Mar low C = -5.2

|Apr low C = -8.9

|May low C = -11.2

|Jun low C = -14.1

|Jul low C = -15.0

|Aug low C = -13.7

|Sep low C = -10.9

|Oct low C = -7.8

|Nov low C = -3.9

|Dec low C = -1.8

|year low C = -8.0

|Jan record low C = -8.5

|Feb record low C = -13.2

|Mar record low C = -20.9

|Apr record low C = -26.0

|May record low C = -29.6

|Jun record low C = -30.0

|Jul record low C = -38.4

|Aug record low C = -32.0

|Sep record low C = -32.6

|Oct record low C = -23.2

|Nov record low C = -18.0

|Dec record low C = -9.7

|year record low C = -38.4

|Jan precipitation mm = 56.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 65.0

|Mar precipitation mm = 75.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 59.1

|May precipitation mm = 54.4

|Jun precipitation mm = 47.4

|Jul precipitation mm = 54.1

|Aug precipitation mm = 72.1

|Sep precipitation mm = 62.2

|Oct precipitation mm = 56.4

|Nov precipitation mm = 65.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 59.0

|year precipitation mm = 726.4

|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation days = 14

|Feb precipitation days = 14

|Mar precipitation days = 17

|Apr precipitation days = 17

|May precipitation days = 14

|Jun precipitation days = 11

|Jul precipitation days = 13

|Aug precipitation days = 15

|Sep precipitation days = 15

|Oct precipitation days = 15

|Nov precipitation days = 16

|Dec precipitation days = 16

|year precipitation days =

|Jan snow days = 13.6

|Feb snow days = 12.1

|Mar snow days = 14.8

|Apr snow days = 16.0

|May snow days = 15.4

|Jun snow days = 14.8

|Jul snow days = 15.2

|Aug snow days = 15.4

|Sep snow days = 15.1

|Oct snow days = 16.6

|Nov snow days = 15.5

|Dec snow days = 14.1

|year snow days = 178.6

|Jan humidity = 82

|Feb humidity = 80

|Mar humidity = 80

|Apr humidity = 80

|May humidity = 80

|Jun humidity = 79

|Jul humidity = 80

|Aug humidity = 80

|Sep humidity = 79

|Oct humidity = 80

|Nov humidity = 81

|Dec humidity = 80

|year humidity = 80

|Jan sun = 167.4

|Feb sun = 130.0

|Mar sun = 93.0

|Apr sun = 63.0

|May sun = 27.9

|Jun sun = 6.0

|Jul sun = 18.6

|Aug sun = 52.7

|Sep sun = 87.0

|Oct sun = 130.2

|Nov sun = 159.0

|Dec sun = 186.0

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 5.4

|Febd sun = 4.6

|Mard sun = 3.0

|Aprd sun = 2.1

|Mayd sun = 0.9

|Jund sun = 0.2

|Juld sun = 0.6

|Augd sun = 1.7

|Sepd sun = 2.9

|Octd sun = 4.2

|Novd sun = 5.3

|Decd sun = 6.0

|yeard sun = 3.1

|source 1 = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (temperature/snowy days/sun 1991–2020, precipitation 1961–1990),{{cite web

| url = https://ssl.smn.gob.ar/dpd/observaciones/estadisticas_normales_9120.zip

| title = Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales - período 1991-2020

| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

| language = es

| access-date = 16 May 2023}}{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230708235600/http://repositorio.smn.gob.ar/bitstream/handle/20.500.12160/2506/estad%C3%ADsticas_climatol%C3%B3gicas_normales_1991-2020.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

| archive-date = 8 July 2023

| url = http://repositorio.smn.gob.ar/handle/20.500.12160/2506

| title = Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales – período 1991–2020

| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

| language = es

| access-date = 8 July 2023

| year = 2023

| last1 = Nacional

| first1 = Servicio Meteorológico

}}

{{cite web

| url = http://www3.smn.gob.ar/serviciosclimaticos/?mod=turismo&id=7&provincia=Ant%E1rtida&ciudad=B.%20Esperanza

| language = es

| title = B. Esperanza Statistical Data (1961-1990)

| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

| access-date = January 23, 2016}}

{{cite web

| url = http://www3.smn.gob.ar/serviciosclimaticos/?mod=elclima&id=5&var=antartida

| title = Valores Medios de Temperatura y Precipitación-Antártida: Base Esperanza

| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

| language = es

| access-date = January 23, 2016}} NOAA (precipitation 1961–1990)

{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/ANTARCTC/AA/88963.TXT

| server = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| title = Base Esperanza Climate Normals 1961–1990

| access-date = January 23, 2016}}

|source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),

{{cite web

| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=38

| title = Station Base Esperanza

| publisher = Meteo Climat

| language = fr

| access-date = June 6, 2016}} Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity, 1982–1995)

{{cite web

| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_889630_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Esperanza (Argentinien) / Antarkt. Halbinsel / Antarktis

| work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = January 23, 2016}}

|date=August 2010

}}

Historic site

{{Css Image Crop|Image = Hope Bay-2016-Trinity Peninsula–Esperanza Station 05.jpg|bSize = 700|cWidth = 340|cHeight = 160|oTop = 150|oLeft = 150|Location = left|Description = 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.{{cite web |url= http://www.ats.aq/documents/ATCM35/WW/atcm35_ww003_e.pdf|title= List of Historic Sites and Monuments approved by the ATCM (2012)|access-date=2013-12-31 |publisher=Antarctic Treaty Secretariat |year=2012}}

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 {{convert|14|km}} 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 {{coord|63.483333|S|57|W|format=dms|region:AQ|display=inline}} was located on the north east coast of the Duse Bay of the Trinity Peninsula and opened on October 23, 1953. {{ill|Jorge Edgar Leal|es}}, 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 {{coord|63.503911|S|57.123603|W|format=dms|region:AQ|display=inline}} 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.:es:Refugio General Martín Güemes{{Circular reference|date=March 2019}}

Notes

References

External links

[https://archive.today/20070704090855/http://www.comnap.aq/comnap/comnap.nsf/P/StationsByName/ARespeg Council Of Managers Of National Antarctic Programs: Base Esperanza]
[http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/icd/gjma/esperanza.temps.html Temperatures]
{{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20091228180928/http://www.ejercito.mil.ar/antartico/ESPERANZA/B_Esp_superior2.htm Argentine Army's site about the base]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110303004340/http://www.dna.gov.ar/INGLES/INDEX.HTM Official website Direccion Nacional del Antartico]
{{in lang|es}} [http://www.marambio.aq/baseesperanza.html Fundaciòn Marambio Esperanza Base page]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080424075823/http://www.comnap.aq/facilities COMNAP Antarctic Facilities]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110220115654/https://www.comnap.aq/publications/maps/comnap_map_edition5_a0_2009-07-24.pdf/view COMNAP Antarctic Facilities Map]
{{official website|https://cancilleria.gob.ar/es/iniciativas/dna/antartida-argentina/bases/esperanza}}