Scott Base
Antarctic adventure, discovery and science
Antarctica is one of the most challenging and unforgiving places on Earth. Early expeditions were a combination of exploration and scientific research. Technology has changed the way we explore and study the Antarctic environment, but the spirit of adventure and the focus on science remains. For most New Zealand scientists, this adventure begins at Scott Base.
An aerial view of Scott Base
Scott Base is Aotearoa new Zealand’s sole Antarctic research station. Many of its building are linked by all-weather corridors. Mt Erebus can be seen in the background.
Establishing Scott Base
Scott Base was established in 1957. It is located on Ross Island in the Ross Sea region – about 4,000 km from Christchurch and 1,500 km from the South Pole. The base was originally part of the 1958 Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Before constructing Scott Base, some of the buildings were first set up in Wellington for the public to view – this shows the public interest in the mission. The components of each building were numbered and coded so they could be dismantled and reassembled in Antarctica – a little like a LEGO building today. In 1976, the original six buildings were replaced with larger, more permanent buildings. From 2025, Scott Base will undergo a multistage 20–50-year redevelopment to ensure it remains functional and fit-for-purpose.
Life at Scott Base
Scott Base is like a small village. People are at Scott Base to work – either on scientific research or to keep the base running. During every summer research season engineers, tradespeople, cleaners, cooks, mechanics, medics, technicians, outdoor field guides and scientists travel south. Scott Base supplies its own heat, electricity, freshwater and food for up to 130 people during the summer and fewer than 15 through the winter season.
A research station is like a ship, with a bit of everything and a bit of something from every decade of Scott Base’s existence. The technology is vintage though to cutting edge.
Antarctica New Zealand compares Scott Base to a private Kiwi lodge. It is rather like a backpackers – in the extreme cold! People live within close proximity – four beds in each small bunk room and shared dining and entertainment areas. Everyone helps with chores – from doing their own dishes to helping out in the kitchen. Experts are on hand to assist with survival training, transportation and keeping base operations running smoothly.
Wastewater treatment at Scott Base
Scott Base is essentially a small town. Like most communities, it must deal with the wastewater it produces. However, there’s no landfill for solid wastes, so everything gets shipped back to Aotearoa New Zealand.
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International agreements and New Zealand environmental legislation are in place to help protect Antarctica’s pristine environment. Scott Base takes waste management very seriously. All human waste and wastewater are treated on site. The solids (like all rubbish) are packaged and returned to New Zealand for disposal.
In addition to living, eating and recreational quarters, Scott Base has specialist laboratory spaces: :
The Hatherton Lab houses long-term experiments – including the longest continuous record of manual weather observations in Antarctica, an electronics workshop and other facilities.
The Summer Lab provides quiet, uninterrupted lab space for equipment set-up.
The Wet Lab houses marine biology research and environmental monitoring of the base’s wastewater treatment.
Arrival Heights Laboratory is located near Scott Base in the Arrival Heights Antarctic Specially Protected Area. Those using this lab conduct upper atmospheric research.
Antarctic field kitchen
Visitors to Scott Base also receive field training. Nigel Latta travelled to Scott Base to film a documentary. Nigel and the team are eating dinner a field kitchen on the Ross Sea Ice Shelf. The kitchen is protected by an ice block windbreak. There are polar tents and waste disposal barrels in the background.
Life in the field camps
Fieldwork is the reason most scientists travel to Antarctica – whether to observe, take samples or make measurements. Some scientists may camp for up to 100 days out in the open!
Given the extreme environment, everyone at Scott Base undertakes Antarctic field skills. This training covers clothing, snowcraft, cooking, tents, environmental management – and going to the toilet! The training is needed to minimise both personal risk and environmental impacts.
Related content
Scott Base features in these resource curations:
Visit our Antarctica topic and use the filters to search by resource type and level.
Useful links
Visit Antarctica New Zealand’s website for more information about Scott Base.
Read about envionmental management in Antarctica on the Antarctica New Zealand website.
Wikipedia has a list of Antarctic expeditions from the 7th century to the present.
Wikipedia also has a list of research stations in Antarctica.
New Zealand’s Antarctic home is falling down and a case is being put forward to replace it. Find out more in this interactive story from Stuff.
