Vernadsky

Ukrainian Research Station in Antarctida

In 1995 Ukraine started operation of Vernadsky antarctic research station. The station was transfered by Great Britain, former Faraday station.

The station is located on Galindez Island (65° 15' S, 64° 16' W).

First scientific expedition was headed by Dr. Milinevski from Astronomy and Space Physics Department of Kiev Shevchenko University.

Mean temperatures:

• annual -4.5° C
• summer -1° C to +2° C
• winter -5° C to -20° C

Vernadsky is the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) former Faraday station that has been transferred free to Ukraine for Ukrainian Antarctic Center (UAC) at 7 February 1996.

A station was first built on the Argentine Islands during the British Graham Land Expedition (1934-37). Permanent occupation started in 1947. The station being moved a few hundred metres in 1953/54 to its present location on Marina Point, Galindes Island. Vernadsky (Faraday) is the oldest operational station in the Antarctic Peninsula area. The most recent major expansion to the living and working facilities occuring in 1979/80. The maximum sleeping accomodation is for 24 people. The usual compliment is 10 - 12 over winter.

Vernadsky is the first Ukrainian Antarctic station. It is operated in the field of Upper Atmosphere and Climate science. Data is collected and analysed in several scientific disciplines: ionospherics, magnetospherics, geomagnetism, meteorology, gliaciology and ozone research. Several of these data sets are longest continuous runs in Antarctic. According to the Memorandum of Understanding between UAC and BAS Ukrainian scientists will continue and supply BAS and by all science results of the long-term measurements of total ozone, magnetic, meteo and ionosonde data.

There are twelve peoples wintering the first "Ukrainian" season 1996/97: two geophysicists of the upper atmosphere physics (one of them is the Station Leader), two meteorologists, gliaciologist, diesel-mechanic, carpenter, cook, electrician, communication manager, doctor, traveler.

The Argentine Island archipelago is situated 4-5 miles west of the Peninsula. The nearby mainland offers spectacular views of Lemaire Channel and mountains rising to 2000 metres. The research mainly concentrated at the station. Travel opportunities are possible like summer boating trips visit bird and penguin colonies, and like winter ski-sledging trips to the mainland when the sea-ice is stable.

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