Marambio Base

The increased Antarctic activity that Argentina developed since 1940 created the need for an aviation runway operable throughout the year for wheeled units. The flight of Vice-Commodore {{ill|Mario Luis Olezza|es}} to the South Pole, the newly built United States McMurdo Station and the frequent operations launched from the Matienzo Station showed the need to secure better transport and communications in the sector.

The Argentine Air Force set about to find a suitable spot to construct an airport. On 25 November 1968, two helicopters operating from the icebreaker ARA General San Martín descended on the Marambio Island as part of such survey. Their report favoring the place was decisive: it lacked large obstacles that could trouble aircraft maneuvering, and its long plateau was virtually free of ice.

File:DHC-2 Beaver matrícula P-03.jpg in Antarctica]]

On 30 August 1969, an Air Force team led by Vice-Commodore Olezza occupied the island, carrying with them the elements needed for the construction of the projected landing track. When initially opened, the 05/23-oriented runway had a length of {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}}. It was the first one in the continent.{{cite web|url=http://www.french-polar-team.fr/LU_Marambio_Station_Seymour_Island.php|title=Marambio Station / Seymour Island|publisher=French-Polar-Team|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107115629/http://www.french-polar-team.fr/LU_Marambio_Station_Seymour_Island.php|archive-date=7 January 2014}} The task took three months of work and culminated when a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, set with conventional wheels, took off from Matienzo Station and landed on the new airport. Before the end of October the runway had already reached {{convert|800|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.marambio.aq/primerherculesmarambio.html|title=Primer aterrizaje de un Hércules C-130 (TC-61) en Marambio|publisher=Fundación Marambio|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529034716/http://www.marambio.aq/primerherculesmarambio.html|archive-date=29 May 2013}}

File:Base Marambio y el Hercules.jpg and control tower, Marambio Airport]]

The station was founded on 29 October 1969. That day, a Fokker F-27 Friendship of the Argentine Air Force manned by Vice-Commodore Erwin Roberto Kern, left Rio Gallegos and landed directly in Marambio Airport, carrying on board civil and military authorities. It was the first aircraft taking off in another continent and landing in Antarctica using conventional landing gear: Antarctica was no longer an isolated place; from that day onwards, all domestic and foreign Antarctic stations got interconnected with the rest of the world throughout the year. It was the most important Antarctic event in the decade.

By April 1970, the runway had reached {{convert|1200|by|40|m|abbr=on}}. On 11 April 1970, the Argentine Air Force began landing their C-130 Hercules on Antarctica when the TC-61 commanded by Commodore Arturo Athos Gandolfi landed in Marambio, starting a long-standing and uninterrupted tradition of air-supplying the Antarctic Argentine stations from the mainland. The Fokker F28 Fellowship presidential aircraft T-01 Patagonia was the first jet to land in Antarctica when it touched down at Marambio on 28 July 1973, 13:28 h.

Commercial passenger traffic from Ushuaia has been announced for 2018.[http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/19/world/2018-things-to-look-forward-to-upcoming-events-trnd/index.html 14. Flights to Antarctica]

File:Campaña Antártica Argentina 2017 02.jpg

As of 2014, Marambio has 27 buildings with a total covered area exceeding {{convert|20000|m2|sqft ha|abbr=on}}. It can host a permanent staff of 60 people and a large complement of scientific personnel, reaching 165 people.

Some of the facilities are: main, dining and recreation halls; emergency house with 28-bed capacity; personnel accommodation buildings; aircraft parking platform; flight deck; airline passenger terminal; flight ground support equipment; library; mail office; gym; a Catholic chapel; laundry; kitchen; two freezing chambers; snow melter; satellite dish for television and internet; radio communications station; towing and personnel carrier vehicles (including tractors, trucks and forklifts); road maintenance tools and vehicles (several snow dozers, tracked loaders and graders); mechanical, carpentry, blacksmithing, turning, plumbing and electricity workshops; laboratory with substations for APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) satellite imagery receiver, ozone and uv light measurement, sounding balloon and radiosonde setup and launching, a MBI International Meteorological Center, and others; several warehouses and deposits; fuel storage array; potable water and sewerage network; incinerator and waste disposal module, and firefighting system.{{cite web|url=http://www.dna.gov.ar/INTINFO/ARGPERES.HTM|title=Intercambio de información – Información Permanente|publisher=Dirección Nacional del Antártico|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517141559/http://www.dna.gov.ar/INTINFO/ARGPERES.HTM|archive-date=17 May 2013}}

File:MuseoPatrullaSoberania.jpg, Marambio Station]]

The station also has CATV and public and internal mobile phone service.

The {{convert|45|m2|abbr=on}} medical suite is attended by one doctor and three paramedics, and has three beds and x-ray, dentistry, coronary care and telemedicine facilities. Over {{convert|492000|L|abbr=on}} of Antarctic gasoil are used every year for transportation, and to feed the 1,000 kW main power plant with its three Caterpillar generators. The station also has a sewage treatment plant. Most buildings are connected together by risen metal footpaths to isolate them from snow and ice.

In 2010, the Argentine company CITEDEF designed and installed a wind generator on the station.

The station is supported by Marambio Airport.

The station is connected to the Argentine mainland and the world through a satellite downlink station with telephone, fax, TV and internet. They also have a DirecTV dish which provides their service to the whole station. Argentine mobile telephone company Claro and Spanish Movistar have an antenna for local coverage. Within the station and between stations, radio is the most used mean of communication, mainly through HF, Vox/Data, aeronautic VHF-AM and UHF-FM.

Internet access is provided by Speedy Argentina, allowing the personnel in the station to be permanently connected to net services. Wireless LAN and Wi-Fi cover the entire complex, becoming one of the southernmost spots in the world with a wireless network. Telephone service is provided by {{Lang|es|Telefónica de Argentina|italic=no}} at low national rates.

In September 2006, a GSM mobile phone network was also added to the station, provided by the Argentine mobile operator CTI Móvil (now Claro).{{cite web|url=http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19205.php|title=CTI, Nokia Deploy GSM Technology in Antarctic Base|publisher=Cellular News|date=7 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619140607/http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19205.php|archive-date=19 June 2013}}

Scientific research at Marambio is planned and executed by specialized departments, usually during the summer campaigns:

• Earth Sciences carries out paleontology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, petrography, cryology, glaciology{{cite web|url=http://nsidc.org/icetrek/log_recon.html|title=Exploring the Lifecycle of a Drifting Antarctic Iceberg|publisher=National Snow and Ice Data Center|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419130512/http://nsidc.org/icetrek/log_recon.html|archive-date=2014-04-19}}{{cite web|url=http://nsidc.org/research/projects/Scambos_Iceberg_Evolution.html|title=Investigating Iceberg Evolution During Drift and Break-Up: A Proxy for Climate-Related Changes in Antarctic Ice Shelves|last=Scambos|first=Ted|publisher=National Snow and Ice Data Center}} and geodesy.{{cite web|url=http://www.geoscience.scar.org/geodesy/monument/guidelines.htm|title=Guidelines for Antarctic GPS monumentation - Edition 2|publisher=Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research}}{{cite journal |last=Zakrajsek |first=AF |last2=Peretti |first2=A |year=1997 |title=Geodetic Monumentation in Antarctic Permafrost, Marambio (Seymour) Island |journal=Actas XIX Reunión Científica, Asociación Argentina de Geodesia y Geofísica}}
• Atmospheric Sciences research include cosmic ray and ionospheric observations,{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/sites/marambio.htm|title=Encyclopedia Astronautica – Marambio|publisher=Astronautix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231033012/http://www.astronautix.com/sites/marambio.htm|archive-date=31 December 2013|url-status=dead|quote=Sounding rocket launch location known to have been used for 7 launches from 1975 to 1982, reaching up to 400 kilometers altitude}} and stratospheric ozone monitoring.{{cite web|url=http://gcmd.nasa.gov/records/GCMD_JCADM_CDA_DNA_OZONE.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113034525/http://gcmd.nasa.gov/records/GCMD_JCADM_CDA_DNA_OZONE.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-11-13|title=Studies on Atmospheric Ozone from Belgrano and Marambio Stations in Antarctica, and Ushuaia, Argentina|publisher=NASA|work=Global Change Master Directory}} The LAMBI Ozone Laboratory, managed by the Atmospheric Sciences station, started in 1994 to obtain ozone records by absorption. It is a joint program with the INTA (Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology)
• Geophysics analyzes the composition, structure and mobility of the Antarctic lithosphere by seismic, magnetic, magnetotelluric and gravimetric surveys. It researches on tectonic dynamics in order to define its configuration from the Cretaceous to the present. It also conducts paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental studies to determine relevant trends during the late Cenozoic.
• Dynamics and Chemistry of Ice investigates changes during the last decade in selected glaciers on the Ross and Vega islands. It also examines significant changes in the Larsen Ice Shelf and provides essential information on the distribution of Antarctic icebergs along the tracks of vessels operating in the Antarctic.
• Human Impact researches environmental processes in relation to possible disturbances caused by human activities over the terrestrial ecosystem dynamics in the area of Marambio. The program develops guidelines for environmental management and monitoring.

In addition Marambio is home to various ongoing scientific projects:

• The Museoantar historical archaeology program undergoes recovery, preservation and restoration of the refuges built by the 1901–04 Swedish Antarctic Expedition on Snow Hill Island.
• In 2011, during the "Mars in Marambio" mission, NASA scientists arrived at the station to test a new space suit designed for future exploration of Mars.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-nasa-spacesuit-idUSTRE72K56M20110321|title=NASA tests Mars space suit in Argentine Antarctica|last=Henao|first=Luis Andrés|work=Reuters|date=21 March 2011}}
• In 2013, the Finnish Meteorological Institute in co-operation with the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional and with the Argentine Air Force started a new continuous atmospheric measurement program in Marambio. Observations cover greenhouse gases (mostly CH₄ and CO₂) while investigating the physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosol particles and incoming and outgoing UV radiation. This scientific project made Marambio the most comprehensive atmospheric measurement station in the Antarctic continent.{{cite web|url=http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/press-release/627622|title=The Finnish Meteorological Institute measures aerosols and greenhouse gases all year round in Antarctica|publisher=Finnish Meteorological Institute|date=11 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019002111/http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/press-release/627622|archive-date=19 October 2013}}
• The station has been chosen for the location of balloon launches of the French project Estrateole to study the ozone layer.

MAR8019.JPG|{{center|Marambio under daily routine duties, date unknown}}

Campamento cientifico.jpg|{{center|Scientific camp, 2009 austral autumn}}

Panoramica base marambio.jpg|{{center|Panoramic photo of Marambio Station at dawn, 2009 austral autumn}}

In spite of its relatively low latitude, Marambio Station is situated in an ice cap climate, albeit much less severe than in Antarctica's interior.

Nonetheless, the climate is severe with mean temperatures that rarely rise above {{convert|0|C|0}} and the presence of strong winds.{{cite web |url= http://www.smn.gov.ar/serviciosclimaticos/?mod=elclima&id=69 |language = es |title= Station Marambio |publisher= Servicio Meteorológico Nacional |access-date= 13 November 2016}} The strong winds produce a wind chill that makes the temperatures feel colder. In particular, gusts up to {{convert|220|km/h|abbr=on}} can occur during the winter months. Due to the partial melting of snow in summer due to above freezing daytime temperatures, animals as well as limited plant life (moss, lichens, and worts) are able to thrive during the warmer months of December, January, and February.

Mean monthly temperatures range from {{convert|-15.1|C|1}} in June to {{convert|-1.7|C|1}} in December. During summer, the average high is above freezing while the average low is {{convert|-4.2|C|1}}. However, temperatures can reach up to {{convert|15|C|1}} or fall below {{convert|-15|C|1}} during summer. In winter, the average high is {{convert|-11|C|0}} while the average low is {{convert|-19|C|0}}. Occasionally, temperatures can reach above freezing during winter. This occurs when warm air from the northeast (characterized by high cloud cover and fog) or from the northwest moves towards the peninsula. As the warm air crosses the mountains in the peninsula, it warms as it descends, leading to warm and dry conditions in a manner similar to a Zonda wind. Its highest recorded temperature was {{convert|17.4|C|1}} on 23 March 2015. This was surpassed on 9 February 2020 when a temperature of {{convert|20.75|C|1}} was recorded at the station.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/13/antarctic-temperature-rises-above-20c-first-time-record|title=Antarctic temperature rises above 20C for first time on record|date=February 13, 2020|newspaper=The Guardian}}

Fog frequently occurs in the station. December and January are the foggiest months, averaging 16 to 19 days with fog while June to September are the least, averaging 9 to 11 days. The station is characterized by high cloud cover throughout the year in the form of stratus clouds. Summer is the cloudiest season, averaging 24 cloudy days while winters are the least cloudiest, averaging 10 to 11 cloudy days.

{{Weather box

|location = Marambio (1991–2020, extremes 1971–present)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 15.2

|Feb record high C = 15.8

|Mar record high C = 17.4

|Apr record high C = 12.3

|May record high C = 15.4

|Jun record high C = 8.4

|Jul record high C = 10.8

|Aug record high C = 8.5

|Sep record high C = 9.8

|Oct record high C = 11.7

|Nov record high C = 13.8

|Dec record high C = 16.5

|year record high C = 17.4

|Jan high C = 1.7

|Feb high C = 1.0

|Mar high C = -2.1

|Apr high C = -6.1

|May high C = -7.4

|Jun high C = -10.7

|Jul high C = -10.3

|Aug high C = -9.3

|Sep high C = -6.1

|Oct high C = -3.6

|Nov high C = -0.4

|Dec high C = 1.3

|year high C = -4.3

|Jan mean C = -0.8

|Feb mean C = -1.8

|Mar mean C = -5.5

|Apr mean C = -10.0

|May mean C = -11.9

|Jun mean C = -14.9

|Jul mean C = -14.9

|Aug mean C = -13.8

|Sep mean C = -10.6

|Oct mean C = -7.3

|Nov mean C = -3.4

|Dec mean C = -1.3

|year mean C = -8.0

|Jan low C = -3.0

|Feb low C = -4.2

|Mar low C = -8.6

|Apr low C = -13.7

|May low C = -16.1

|Jun low C = -18.7

|Jul low C = -19.3

|Aug low C = -18.1

|Sep low C = -14.8

|Oct low C = -11.0

|Nov low C = -6.2

|Dec low C = -3.7

|year low C = -11.4

|Jan record low C = -9.5

|Feb record low C = -15.6

|Mar record low C = -24.6

|Apr record low C = -31.5

|May record low C = -34.5

|Jun record low C = -37.6

|Jul record low C = -36.8

|Aug record low C = -38.3

|Sep record low C = -34.0

|Oct record low C = -26.8

|Nov record low C = -21.3

|Dec record low C = -11.2

|year record low C = -38.3

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 44.4

|Feb precipitation mm = 55.1

|Mar precipitation mm = 51.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 26.1

|May precipitation mm = 24.6

|Jun precipitation mm = 13.9

|Jul precipitation mm = 17.8

|Aug precipitation mm = 17.6

|Sep precipitation mm = 30.7

|Oct precipitation mm = 18.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 28.0

|Dec precipitation mm = 35.0

|year precipitation mm =

|Jan snow days = 16.2

|Feb snow days = 12.8

|Mar snow days = 13.9

|Apr snow days = 12.2

|May snow days = 9.5

|Jun snow days = 9.5

|Jul snow days = 8.5

|Aug snow days = 9.5

|Sep snow days = 8.9

|Oct snow days = 11.9

|Nov snow days = 13.0

|Dec snow days = 15.3

|year snow days = 141.2

|source 1 = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (precipitation 2001–2010){{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}}{{cite web

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

| language=es

| title=Servicios Climáticos – Información de Turismo – Station Marambio – Datos estadísticos (1971–1990)

| publisher=National Meteorological Service of Argentina

| access-date=4 February 2013}}{{cite web

| url = https://www2.smn.gob.ar/caracterizaci%C3%B3n-estad%C3%ADsticas-de-largo-plazo

| title = Clima en la Argentina: Guia Climática por Station Marambio

| work = Caracterización: Estadísticas de largo plazo

| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

| language = es

| access-date = 5 November 2017

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904022616/https://www2.smn.gob.ar/caracterizaci%C3%B3n-estad%C3%ADsticas-de-largo-plazo

| archive-date = 4 September 2017

| url-status = dead

}}

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

{{cite web

| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=358

| title = Station Marambio

| publisher = Meteo Climat

| language = fr

| access-date = November 8, 2015}}

|date=August 2010

}}

• List of Antarctic research stations
• List of Antarctic field camps
• List of airports in Antarctica

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Marambio Station}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203024221/http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/mision/base_marambio.html Fuerza Aerea Argentina – Base Marambio] {{in lang|es}}
• [http://www.marambio.aq/basemarambio.html Fundaciòn Marambio – Base Marambio] {{in lang|es}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110303004340/http://www.dna.gov.ar/INGLES/INDEX.HTM Dirección Nacional del Antártico] {{in lang|es}}
• {{official website|https://cancilleria.gob.ar/es/iniciativas/dna/antartida-argentina/bases/marambio}}

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Category:Populated places established in 1969

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Category:1969 establishments in Antarctica