Marambio Base

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Cities and towns
in Argentina

Marambio Base


Province	Tierra del Fuego Province
Department	Antártida Argentina
Location	54°14′ S 56°37′ W
Elevation	5 m AMSL
Population	150-55

Base Antártica Marambio is the main Argentine base in Antarctica, and it is located at the Seymour-Marambio Island, at 64°14′S 56°37′W, some 100 km (88 mi) from Esperanza Base.

Viewof the control tower and other buildings.

This permanent base, founded on October 29, 1969, was named after Argentine Air Force pilot Gustavo Argentino Marambio, one of the first pilots flying over Antarctica.

Prior to its foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200m (3800ft) long, 40m (120ft) wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon, electronic and flashing beacons. Supplies are taken to Marambio Base during the whole year, to be later distributed to other Argentine bases nearby (except for Belgrano II). There are over 100 intercontinental flights every year.

The base has 27 buildings in a total area of 4,278 m², of which 1,155 are used for accommodation. The 45 m² medical suite is attended by one doctor and three paramedics, and has three beds and X-ray facilities. 492,000 litres of Arctic gasoil are used every year for transportation, and the four power generators with a capacity of 1,000 kW. The base also has a sewage treatment plant.

[edit] Seasonal information

Map of Graham Land, showing Marambio Base (B)

The average temperatures at the base are 1 °C during the summer, and −21 °C during the winter, though strong winds can lower the apparent temperature down to −60 °C.

In winter the base has an average of 55 crew members, but in summer the population of the base can grow to 150.

[edit] Communication

The base is connected to the continent (and the world) through a satellite downlink station with telephone, fax, TV and Internet. Argentine mobile telephone companies CTIMóvil and Movistar have an antenna for local coverage. Within the base, and between bases, radio is the most used mains of communication , mainly HF, Vox/Data, VHF-AM (aeronautic) and UHF-FM.

Internet connection is provided by Speedy Argentina[1], allowing the personnel in the base to be permanently connected. Wireless LAN and Wi-Fi covers the entire complex, becoming one of the southernmosts spots in the world with a wireless network. Public telephony is available (provided by Telefonica de Argentina[2]) at low national rates.

In September 2006, a GSM mobile phone network was also added to the base, operated by the Argentine mobile operator CTIMóvil.

[edit] Science activities

Among others, the base's main activities include cosmic ray observations, glaciology, ionospheric/auroral observations, stratospheric ozone monitoring and meteorological observations.