Machu Picchu Base
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Machu Picchu Scientific Base is a scientific Peruvian research facility established at Antarctica and sponsored by the Peruvian government. The aim of this facility it is to conduct Antarctic research on geology, climatology and biology. The purpose is to study the continent's geological past, the potential sea resources, the wind strengths, the air pollution and the animal adaptation on a freezing environment.
[edit] Scientific base and expeditions
Peru sends scientific expeditions annually to Antarctica. The Peruvian Antarctic Institute (INANPE) is responsible for the base, which is located on King George Island, in the Admiralty Bay.
Many scientific projects have been developed, such as investigations about the krill and its possibilities as food alternative. Also there were geological, biological, hydrographic and geophysics projects, according to the Antarctic Treaty System. The equipment installed includes radar to measure the winds at the highest atmosphere layer; with this data the scientists can do research about ozone depletion.
Due to the continent's high value for its strategic, ecologic and economic importance, Peru is interested in keeping the Antarctic continent as a peace zone, with neither military equipment nor nuclear weapons, and to preserve its environment untouchable because it impacts the Peruvian weather and the Humboldt Current.
[edit] Antarctic Treaty
Peru signed the Antarctic Treaty as a consultive member on April 10th, 1981, at the XI Consultive meeting at Buenos Aires. According to that meeting, Peru has no territorial claim on the Antarctic continent.
