Stations

Antarctic
Arctic

Station

Camp

Shelter

Laboratory

Station

Camp

Shelter

Laboratory

Background

Facility Name	Princess Elisabeth
Location	Antarctic
Current status of facility	Open
Type	Station
Operating country	Belgium
INTERACT Status	None
First opened/Opening year	2009
Operational period	Seasonal

Introduction

Facility name and Operator	Princess Elisabeth Antarctica - PEA Belgian Polar Secretariat
Location	Princess Elisabeth station was built on Utsteinen Ridge, at the foot of the Sør Rondane Mountains, Dronning Maud Land. The station is located 200 km inland.
Biodiversity and natural environment	The station’s natural environment is that of a high plateau (25 km) with a continental Antarctic climate. The station sits in the vicinity of a mountain range and a Petrel colony.
History and Facilities	In 2007–2008, Belgium constructed a new research station in Antarctica. This station replaces the former Belgian Roi Baudouin base, built in 1958 at Breid Bay in Dronning Maud Land that closed in 1967. The Princess Elisabeth station is built 173 km inland from the former Roi Baudouin base.
General research and databases	Various research, including climatology, biodiversity, glaciology, geology and geophysics are conducted at Princess Elisabeth. In addition, the station is also a test platform for sustainable technologies.
Human dimension	Science and logistic hub for field expeditions.
Access	Cape Town - Novo intercont 6hrs Illl Feeder flight feeder Basler 1,5hr Ship Ct -Coast (Breid Bay) +/-8 days Over land transport 24hrs

Operator

Facility operator/manager	Belgian Federal Science Policy and Polar Secretariat
Institution managing/operating the facility	Belgian Polar Secretariat

Data Source

Partner Institution

Partnership

Location

Station code	CO0301
Geographical coordinates - Latitude	71° 56.9915' 0'' S
Geographical coordinates - Longitude	23° 20.8135' 0'' E
Region	Continental Antarctica
Antarctic Environmental Domain	N - East Antarctic inland ice sheet
Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Region	6 Dronning Maud Land
Altitude of facility (m)	1382
Distance to nearest transport facility (airstrip/helipad/dock - km)	1.5
Distance to nearest station (km)	431
Type of surface facility built on	Ice-free ground

Climate

Permafrost	Continuous
Climate zone	Inland Antarctica
Precipitation type	Snow
Total annual precipitation (mm)	50
Mean annual wind speed (km/h)	7
Max wind speed (km/h)	50
Dominant wind direction	E
Period of temperature measurements	01/02/2009 to 15/04/2016
Mean annual temperature (°C)	-18
Mean temperature in January (°C)	-9.1
Mean temperature in February (°C)	-12.3
Mean temperature in March (°C)	-16.2
Mean temperature in April (°C)	-19.9
Mean temperature in May (°C)	-20.4
Mean temperature in June (°C)	-23.5
Mean temperature in July (°C)	-24.9
Mean temperature in August (°C)	-25.4
Mean temperature in September (°C)	-25.3
Mean temperature in October (°C)	-17.3
Mean temperature in November (°C)	-11.2
Mean temperature in December (°C)	-8.7
Max. temperature (absolute) - date	11/01/2013
Max. temperature (absolute) - º C	4.5
Min. temperature (absolute) - date	12/07/2012
Min. temperature (absolute) - º C	-37.4
Lake Ice Break Up	December
River Ice Break Up	None
Snow free period	None

Features

Features in the facility area

Blue ice; Clear air zone; Coast; Crevasse; High elevation; Hill; Ice cap or glacier; Ice shelf; Ice tongue; Lake; Low artificial light pollution; Low humidity; Melt streams; Moraine; Mountain; Nunatak; Permanent snowpatches; Plateau; Rock; Sea; Sea ice; Shoreline; Snow; Valley

Disciplines

Main science disciplines	Astrophysics; Atmospheric sciences; Climate studies; Computer sciences; Ecology; Environmental sciences; Geology; Geomorphology; Geophysics and seismology; Glaciology; Information sciences; Medicine; Microbiology; Paleontology
Other science disciplines	Sustainable and communication technologies.

Human Activities

Human activity	No
History of human presence in the area	Since 2004 - start of PEA construction studies. Before, pristine.
Long term monitoring	Yes
Waste management	Yes
Hazard[ous] management	Yes
Fuel spill response capability	Yes

Infrastructure

Station code	CO0301
Area under roof (m2)	1800
Scientific laboratories (m2)	50
Type of scientific laboratories	Geophysics
Other type	Meteorology; Atmospheric observatory
Logistics (m2)	600
Number of beds	48
Showers	yes
Laundry facilities	yes
Power supply (type)	Renewable
Power supply (V)	220
Power supply (hours per day)	24
Hydroponics facilities	no

Staff Capacity

Number of staff on station (peak/summer season)	12
Number of scientists on station (peak/summer season)	10
Number of staff on station (off peak/winter season)	0
Number of scientists on station (off peak/winter season)	6
Max number of personnel at a time (staff, scientists and other)	40
Number of tourists (annual average)	0

Scientific Equipment

Specific devices / Scientific equipment)

Aethalometer, Nephelometer, Laser Aerosol Spectrometer, TSI CPC, TEOM-FDMS, CCNc + PSU, BREWER, Radiosondes, Weather Balloons, pyrometer, Ceilometer, MRR, AWS (3), iWS (2), CIMEL, MAX-DOAS, UV-Pyranometer,

SIGFOX (Receiver, antenna), RADOME, VLF magnetic.

Scientific services

Technical science support (integration, mechanical, energy systems, electronics, ICT), Logistic support field expeditions (vehicles, equipment, mechanics and field guides), Remote monitoring and other communication, Testing and repairs, Advice.

Long-term monitoring/observations

Atmospheric and geophysics observatory.

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities	Yes
Area of medical facility (m2)	20
Staff with relevant training	Medical doctor; Nurse
Beds	1
Capability	Basic
Equipment	Telemedicine
Other equipment	Limited diagnostic facilities and surgical facilities. Monitoring for anaesthesis, emergency equipment (defibrillators and CPR). Resident physician during summer season.
Staff with basic medical training or doctor (summer)	2
Staff with basic medical training or doctor (winter)	0
Closest emergency facility in Antarctica (km)	431
Medical research capabilities	No
Medical screening requirements	Yes

Vehicles

Land transportation

Snow tractors, sledges, 4WD with tracks and skidoos.

Workshop facilities

Workshop facilities	ICTS (Staff available to assit with constructions); Mechanical; Metal workshop; Wood workshop
Other workshop facilities	Electric

Communications

Computer; E-mail; Internet; Printer; Satellite phone; Scanner; VHF

Access

Air

Aircraft landing facilities

Number of airstrips	1
Length (m) of longest runway	1200
Width (m) of longest runway	60
Description of airstrips	Feeder flight airstrip
Airstrip surface	Snow
Helipad	No

Transport and freight

Transport to facility	Airplane
No. of ship visits per year	0
Other landing facilities	Ice Shelf
No. of flight visits per year	6
Period of flight visits per year	January; February; November; December