Signy Research Station (originally Station H) is an Antarctic research base on Signy Island, run by the British Antarctic Survey.

History

Signy was first occupied in 1947 when a three-man meteorological station was established in Factory Cove above the old whaling station. Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the station has been open from November to April each year (southern hemisphere summer).

Facilities

Today, the base has four buildings with capacity for 8 people.

Research

Marine and terrestrial biology is carried out at Signy, particularly looking at the effects of climate change on the southern ocean ecosystems. Three species of penguin (Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo) are monitored at the base. providing a continuous record of sea ice extent near the station for over 50 years.

Climate

Signy Research Station has a tundra climate (ET according to the Köppen climate classification), because all twelve months have a mean temperature under . Signy Research Station has very long, cold winters (although they are mild for Antarctic standards) and short, cool summers. It has only three months with the average temperature above freezing point. The temperature is consistently cold year-round, with August, the coldest month, having a mean of and an average low of . February is the warmest month, with a mean of and an average high of . Records were kept for a few years mostly around the late 1980s. The highest temperature ever recorded was on 30 January 1982, which is the highest temperature recorded anywhere south of 60°S, and the lowest recorded temperature was in June.

See also

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

References

  • Official website British Antarctic Survey
  • BAS Signy Research Station
  • BAS Signy Research Station Images at BAS
  • COMNAP Antarctic Facilities
  • COMNAP Antarctic Facilities Map