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Last modified on Thu 31 Dec 2020 13.10 EST
Australia is planning to build Antarctica’s biggest infrastructure project: a new airport and runway that would increase the human footprint in the world’s greatest wilderness by an estimated 40%.
The mega-scheme is likely to involve blasting petrel rookeries, disturbing penguin colonies and encasing a stretch of the wilderness in more than 115,000 tonnes of concrete.
The government in Canberra says the project on the Vestfold Hills of Princess Elizabeth Land is necessary to provide year-round access for scientists and emergency teams to Davis research station, Australia’s most southerly base in Antarctica. Strategic concerns are also a consideration; Australia is keen to counter China’s growing presence on the frozen southern continent.
Antarctic ice runways under construction for medevac Australian Antarctic Program Press Release | December 29, 2020
Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 22 seconds.
Work has begun on constructing two Antarctic ice runways to use in the medevac of a patient from Australia’s Davis research station.
A team of five, with more than 1000 kilograms of equipment, was flown by Chinese helicopter to the ski landing area, on the ice plateau behind Davis station.
CHINARE helicopter arrives at Davis research station. Dan Dyer/AAD Photo
The expeditioners will spend three to five days building the two kilometer ski-way to receive a Basler aircraft.
1400 kilometers away at Australia’s Wilkins Aerodrome, near Casey station, another crew of eight is preparing a three-and-a-half kilometer glacial runway.
Greg Stone/Australian Antarctic Division
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toggle caption Greg Stone/Australian Antarctic Division
The Australian expeditioner was evacuated from Davis research station due to a medical condition, which authorities said was not related to COVID-19. Greg Stone/Australian Antarctic Division
An Australian expeditioner has been medically evacuated from Antarctica, following a multinational effort by land, air and sea that spanned thousands of miles on the remote continent.
The Australian, United States and Chinese Antarctic programs collaborated on the five-day operation, which Australian officials on Friday called an outstanding success thanks to teamwork and, of course, good weather during the Antarctic summer.