ASMA 5: Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 5 -- The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station area encompasses the geographic South Pole and the surrounding operational zone of the United States Antarctic Program.

Location

Geographic South Pole, at the heart of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, at an elevation of approximately 2,835 meters (9,301 feet) on the polar plateau.

Managing and Supporting Countries

• United States -- Sole operator

Protection Level

Managed/Coordinated. The management plan governs all activities in the area surrounding the geographic South Pole, including scientific operations, logistics, and tourism.

Protection Type

Land and air. The station sits on an ice sheet approximately 2,700 meters thick.

Purpose

The South Pole is one of the most important scientific observation sites on Earth and hosts major research programs in astrophysics, atmospheric science, glaciology, and seismology. The ASMA designation manages the complex logistics of maintaining a permanent research station at one of the most remote and extreme locations on the planet.

Scientific Programs

• IceCube Neutrino Observatory -- A cubic kilometer of instrumented ice beneath the station that detects neutrinos from cosmic sources
• South Pole Telescope -- A 10-meter telescope studying the cosmic microwave background radiation
• BICEP Array -- Telescopes searching for evidence of cosmic inflation in the polarization of the cosmic microwave background
• Atmospheric Research Observatory -- Continuous monitoring of greenhouse gases, ozone, aerosols, and solar radiation in the cleanest air on Earth
• Seismology -- Part of the global seismic monitoring network

Station Operations

The Amundsen-Scott Station is staffed year-round:

• Summer population: Approximately 150 personnel
• Winter population: Approximately 50 personnel
• Resupply: LC-130 Hercules aircraft from McMurdo Station during the summer season (October to February)

The station was most recently rebuilt in 2008 and is designed to be elevated above the accumulating snow surface.

Tourism

A small number of tourist expeditions reach the South Pole each austral summer, typically arriving overland by ski or by private aircraft. The management plan includes provisions for:

• Coordination with station operations to prevent interference with science
• Designated visitor areas separate from station infrastructure
• Waste management requirements for tourist groups

Birdland's Position

While the South Pole lies at the geographic center of Birdland, few avian citizens reside in the deep interior. The Guins government recognizes the scientific value of the station and supports its continued operation under the existing management framework. Birdland's primary concern is ensuring that the atmospheric monitoring programs continue uninterrupted, as they provide essential data for climate advocacy.