100 years--and counting--at the South Pole (photos)
A century after explorer Roald Amundsen arrived there, the South Pole is a hub for scientific exploration.
'Polheim'
Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of explorer Roald Amundsen becoming the first to reach the South Pole. In this image Amundsen, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel and Oscar Wisting (left to right) are pictured at "Polheim," the tent erected at the South Pole on December 16, 1911. The top flag is the Flag of Norway; the bottom is marked "Fram."
Amundsen disappeared aboard a French Latham 47 flying boat in the Barents Sea on June 18, 1928. The plane had been searching for the gas-filled airship "Italia," which crashed when returning from the North Pole during an expedition led by Italian aeronautical engineer Umberto Nobile.
Amundsen disappeared aboard a French Latham 47 flying boat in the Barents Sea on June 18, 1928. The plane had been searching for the gas-filled airship "Italia," which crashed when returning from the North Pole during an expedition led by Italian aeronautical engineer Umberto Nobile.
Framheim base
The base at Framheim, February 1911.
Ice sheet two miles thick
Over the decades, scientists and support personnel have conducted research at the South Pole on myriad projects. But the conditions are anything but balmy as evidenced by this 1960 photo. The ice sheet below South Pole is nearly two miles thick.
Dropping lumber
A C-124 Cargo plane airdrops lumber to U.S. Navy Seabees at the South Pole, December 1956 as they went about the construction of a research station.
First permanent station
A December 4, 1956 aerial view of the first permanent station at the South Pole.
First plane to land
This C-47 was the first airplane to land at the South Pole on October 31, 1956.
Navy Seabees
Group shot of the U.S. Navy Seabees who built the first South Pole station. Work was completed in late December 1956.
South Pole Telescope
Today the South Pole Telescope collects data on cosmic microwave background radiation and black matter.
Martin Pomerantz
The South Pole offers six months of constant sunlight for studying the sun. This 1985 image shows researcher Martin Pomerantz at the Pole.
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Weather balloons launched at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The base was named in honor of two explorers. Norwegian Roald Amundsen led the first successful expedition to the South Pole 100 years ago. The other half of the base's name was in memory of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, who lost the race against Amundsen and arrived at the South Pole more than month later, only to find Amundsen's tent, a Norwegian flag and a letter from Amundsen. Scott and four companions died on the way out.
Dome of South Pole Station
Dome of the South Pole Station, which was completed in 1975.
Geodisc dome
1993 overhead shot of the geodisc dome and support tunnels at the South Pole Station.
Dome entrance
The entrance to the dome filled up with snow and ice accumulation, as demonstrated in this 1975 photo. It ultimately required the digging of an access tunnel.
Jamesway huts
Korean War vintage Jamesway huts.
Remembering Reagan
U.S. flag, backlit by Southern Lights, flies at half staff in June 2004 in memory of former President Ronald Reagan. The flag was also lowered after the 9/11 terror attacks and the Space Shuttle Columbia loss in 2003.
Rec room
No longer any need for roughing it. A look at the base recreation room.
All alone
Isolation of the U.S. South Pole Station. The nearest human habitation is McMurdo Station on Ross Island, about 900 miles away.
2008 ceremony
2008 ceremony including the 12 original signatory nations of the Antarctic Treaty.
Antarctic night
July 2005 image taken during the 6-month-long Antarctic night.
New South Pole Station
Aerial photo taken in 2005 of new South Pole Station. The older station is at lower left
Infrared Explorer
South Pole Infrared Explorer was used to probe areas where new stars form by recording their infrared emissions.
Atmospheric Research Observatory
Atmospheric Research Observatory tracks changes in the Earth's atmosphere.
Tumbleweed rover
Tumbleweed rover is an experimental device designed to land on other planets. In 2004 tests, it has traveled more than 40 miles around the pole.
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