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{{Infobox settlement
]
| name = Signy Research Station
'''Signy Research Station''' is an Antarctic research base on ], run by the ].
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = ]
| image_skyline = Signy Research Station.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_caption = Signy Research Station in 2006
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Antarctica
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Signy Research Station in Antarctica
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Signy Research Station in ]
| coordinates = {{coord|60.708333|S|45.595|W|format=dms|region:AQ|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
| subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = ]
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| subdivision_name2 = ]
| subdivision_type3 = Administered by
| subdivision_name3 = ]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = {{start date|18 March 1947|df=y}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="comnap-catalogue"/>
| elevation_m = 5
| population_as_of = 2017
| population_footnotes = <ref name="comnap-catalogue">{{cite report |type=catalogue |url=https://www.comnap.aq/s/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |title=Antarctic Station Catalogue |date=August 2017 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-473-40409-3 |page=143 |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022102847/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61073506e9b0073c7eaaf464/t/611497cc1ece1b43f0eeca8a/1628739608968/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_total =
| population_blank1_title = Summer
| population_blank1 = 14
| population_blank2_title = Winter
| population_blank2 = 0
| population_density_km2 =
| population_note =
| population_demonym =
| timezone1 =
| utc_offset1 =
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| blank_name_sec1 = Type
| blank_info_sec1 = Seasonal
| blank1_name_sec1 = Period
| blank1_info_sec1 = Summer
| blank2_name_sec1 = Status
| blank2_info_sec1 = Operational
| blank_name_sec2 = Activities
| blank_info_sec2 = {{Collapsible list |bullets=on |Climatology |Limnology |Microbiology |Sedimentology}}
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| iso_code =
| code1_name = ]
| code1_info = AQ SGN
| website = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/signy/|www.antarctica.ac.uk}}}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Signy Research Station''' (originally '''Station H''')<ref name=bas-SIG>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/about-bas/history/british-research-stations-and-refuges/signy-h/|title=History of Signy (Station H) - British Antarctic Survey|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-13}}</ref> is an Antarctic research base on ], run by the ].


==History== ==History==
Signy was first occupied in 1947 when a meteorological station was established in ] above the old whaling station.<ref name="BAS">{{cite web| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/signy/index.php| title=Signy Research Station| publisher=]| accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref> It was the second research base on the ] (after the ] ] in 1903). In 1955, a new hut, Tønsberg House was built on the site of the whaling station. In 1963, it was turned into a laboratory for biological research. Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the station has been open from November to April each year (southern hemisphere summer). Signy was first occupied in 1947 when a three-man meteorological station was established in ] above the old whaling station.<ref name="BAS">{{cite web| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/signy/index.php| title=Signy Research Station| publisher=]| access-date=19 February 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918231143/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_stations/signy/index.php| archive-date=18 September 2008}}</ref><ref name=bas-SIG/> It was the second research base on the ] (after the ] ] in 1903). In 1955, a new hut, Tønsberg House was built on the site of the whaling station. In 1963, it was turned into a laboratory for biological research. Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the station has been open from November to April each year (southern hemisphere summer).


==Facilities== ==Facilities==
Today, the base has four buildings with capacity for 8 people.<ref name="BAS"/> The main building, Sorlle House (named after the whaling captain who himself named Signy Island), provides living accommodation and laboratories. The other buildings are for storage and provision of power and water services. There are also four small huts around the island. Today, the base has four buildings with capacity for 8 people.<ref name="comnap-catalogue"/><ref name="BAS"/> The main building, Sørlle House (named after the whaling captain ], who himself named Signy Island), provides living accommodation and laboratories. The other buildings are for storage and provision of power and water services. There are also four small huts around the island.

A light railway was constructed in 1963 for unloading stores and large items of machinery. When built, this was the ] in existence. It was later extended up a hill to reach the fuel tanks.<ref name=Rootes>{{cite book| title = A concise account of Signy Base 'H'| author = David Rootes | publisher = British Antarctic Survey | page=17 | year = 1988 |isbn=085665129X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Big whales, small engines!| author = Martin Coombs | publisher = Railways of the Far South | url = http://www.railwaysofthefarsouth.co.uk/11cwhaling.html| accessdate = 2022-01-03 }}</ref>


==Research== ==Research==
Marine and terrestrial biology is carried out at Signy, particularly looking at the effects of climate change on the southern ocean ecosystems. Three species of penguin (], ] and ]) are monitored at the base.<ref name="BAS"/> Marine and terrestrial biology is carried out at Signy, particularly looking at the ] on the southern ocean ecosystems. Three species of penguin (], ] and ]) are monitored at the base.<ref name="BAS"/>


To continue an original time series of visual sea ice observations after the station became summer-only, an automated sea ice camera now operates all year around,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/engineering/signy_ice_camera.php| title=Signy Sea Ice Camera| publisher=]| accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref> providing a continuous record of sea ice extent near the station for over 50 years. To continue an original time series of visual sea ice observations after the station became summer-only, an automated sea ice camera now operates all year around,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/engineering/signy_ice_camera.php| title=Signy Sea Ice Camera| publisher=]| access-date=19 February 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112033120/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/engineering/signy_ice_camera.php| archive-date=12 November 2010| url-status=dead}}</ref> providing a continuous record of sea ice extent near the station for over 50 years.


==Footnotes== ==Climate==
Signy Research Station has a ] (''ET'' according to the ]), because all twelve months have a mean temperature under {{Convert|10|C}}. Signy Research Station has very long, cold winters (although they are mild for Antarctic standards) and short, cool summers. It has only three months with the average temperature above freezing point. The temperature is consistently cold year-round, with August, the coldest month, having a mean of {{convert|-10.3|C}} and an average low of {{convert|-15.6|C}}. February is the warmest month, with a mean of {{convert|3.9|C}} and an average high of {{convert|6.4|C}}. The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|19.8|C}} on 30 January 1982, which is the highest temperature recorded anywhere south of ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wmo.asu.edu/content/antarctica-highest-temperature |title=WMO Region VII (Antarctic: all land/ice south of 60°S): Highest Temperature |access-date=5 April 2022 }}</ref> and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-27.8|C}} in June.{{year needed|date=April 2022}}

{{Weather box <!--Infobox begins-->
|metric first= 1
|single line= 1
|location= Signy Research Station, 6 m asl (1971–2000 normals)

<!--Record high temperatures-->
|Jan record high C= 19.8
|Feb record high C= 16.2
|Mar record high C= 13.3
|Apr record high C= 4.6
|May record high C= 4.9
|Jun record high C= 3.9
|Jul record high C= 7.4
|Aug record high C= 3.3
|Sep record high C= 4.7
|Oct record high C= 6.6
|Nov record high C= 6.6
|Dec record high C= 3.6
|year record high C=
<!--Average high temperatures-->
|Jan high C= 6.1
|Feb high C= 6.4
|Mar high C= 6.3
|Apr high C= 0.7
|May high C= 0.2
|Jun high C= -2.0
|Jul high C= -4.6
|Aug high C= -5.0
|Sep high C= 0.9
|Oct high C= 1.1
|Nov high C= 2.0
|Dec high C= 1.6
|year high C=
<!--Mean daily temperature-->
|Jan mean C= 1.2
|Feb mean C= 3.9
|Mar mean C= 3.1
|Apr mean C= -1.8
|May mean C= -2.1
|Jun mean C= -6.9
|Jul mean C= -7.4
|Aug mean C= -10.3
|Sep mean C= -2.9
|Oct mean C= -1.6
|Nov mean C= -0.8
|Dec mean C= -0.1
|year mean C=
<!--Average low temperatures-->
|Jan low C= -0.7
|Feb low C= 1.4
|Mar low C= -0.2
|Apr low C= -4.3
|May low C= -4.4
|Jun low C= -11.7
|Jul low C= -10.1
|Aug low C= -15.6
|Sep low C= -6.6
|Oct low C= -4.2
|Nov low C= -3.5
|Dec low C= -1.9
|year low C=
<!--Record low temperatures-->
|Jan record low C= -1.5
|Feb record low C= 1.0
|Mar record low C= -4.4
|Apr record low C= -8.8
|May record low C= -11.8
|Jun record low C= -27.8
|Jul record low C= -27.7
|Aug record low C= -25.4
|Sep record low C= -13.9
|Oct record low C= -8.7
|Nov record low C= -9.0
|Dec record low C= -3.8
|year record low C=
<!--Total Precipitation, this should include rain and snow.-->
<!--IMPORTANT: use mm or cm but NOT both!-->
|precipitation colour =
|Jan precipitation mm= 33.7
|Feb precipitation mm=
|Mar precipitation mm= 72.6
|Apr precipitation mm= 6.6
|May precipitation mm= 10.3
|Jun precipitation mm= 2.6
|Jul precipitation mm= 5.7
|Aug precipitation mm= 4.7
|Sep precipitation mm= 140.0
|Oct precipitation mm=
|Nov precipitation mm=
|Dec precipitation mm= 14.1
|year precipitation mm=
<!--Average number of precipitation days-->
|unit precipitation days= 1&nbsp;mm
|Jan precipitation days= 11.63
|Feb precipitation days=
|Mar precipitation days= 26.57
|Apr precipitation days=
|May precipitation days= 5.17
|Jun precipitation days=
|Jul precipitation days=
|Aug precipitation days= 1.82
|Sep precipitation days= 10.00
|Oct precipitation days=
|Nov precipitation days=
|Dec precipitation days= 5.64
|year precipitation days=
<!--Mandatory fields, source-->
|source 1= Météo climat stats<ref>{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1981-2010-1-p9.php|title=Moyennes 1981-2010 Antarctique|language=fr|access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref>
|source 2= Météo Climat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=2155|title=Météo Climat stats for Ile Signy |publisher=Météo Climat|access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category|Signy Station}}
* *
* *
* at ] * at ]
* *
* *

{{commons category|position=left|Signy Station}}


{{Portal bar|Earth sciences|Geography|United Kingdom}}
{{Antarctic research stations}} {{Antarctic research stations}}
{{Antarctica}}
{{coord|60|43|S|45|36|W|display=title}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 15:57, 2 August 2024

Antarctic base in British Antarctic Territory
Signy Research Station
Antarctic base
Signy Research Station in 2006Signy Research Station in 2006
Location of Signy Research Station in AntarcticaLocation of Signy Research Station in AntarcticaSigny Research StationLocation of Signy Research Station in Antarctica
Coordinates: 60°42′30″S 45°35′42″W / 60.708333°S 45.595°W / -60.708333; -45.595
Country United Kingdom
British Overseas TerritoryBritish Antarctic Territory
Location in AntarcticaSigny Island
Administered byBritish Antarctic Survey
Established18 March 1947 (18 March 1947)
Elevation5 m (16 ft)
Population
 • Summer14
 • Winter0
UN/LOCODEAQ SGN
TypeSeasonal
PeriodSummer
StatusOperational
Activities List
  • Climatology
  • Limnology
  • Microbiology
  • Sedimentology
Websitewww.antarctica.ac.uk

Signy Research Station (originally Station H) is an Antarctic research base on Signy Island, run by the British Antarctic Survey.

History

Signy was first occupied in 1947 when a three-man meteorological station was established in Factory Cove above the old whaling station. It was the second research base on the South Orkney Islands (after the Argentine Orcadas Base in 1903). In 1955, a new hut, Tønsberg House was built on the site of the whaling station. In 1963, it was turned into a laboratory for biological research. Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the station has been open from November to April each year (southern hemisphere summer).

Facilities

Today, the base has four buildings with capacity for 8 people. The main building, Sørlle House (named after the whaling captain Petter Sørlle, who himself named Signy Island), provides living accommodation and laboratories. The other buildings are for storage and provision of power and water services. There are also four small huts around the island.

A light railway was constructed in 1963 for unloading stores and large items of machinery. When built, this was the southernmost railway in existence. It was later extended up a hill to reach the fuel tanks.

Research

Marine and terrestrial biology is carried out at Signy, particularly looking at the effects of climate change on the southern ocean ecosystems. Three species of penguin (Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo) are monitored at the base.

To continue an original time series of visual sea ice observations after the station became summer-only, an automated sea ice camera now operates all year around, providing a continuous record of sea ice extent near the station for over 50 years.

Climate

Signy Research Station has a tundra climate (ET according to the Köppen climate classification), because all twelve months have a mean temperature under 10 °C (50 °F). Signy Research Station has very long, cold winters (although they are mild for Antarctic standards) and short, cool summers. It has only three months with the average temperature above freezing point. The temperature is consistently cold year-round, with August, the coldest month, having a mean of −10.3 °C (13.5 °F) and an average low of −15.6 °C (3.9 °F). February is the warmest month, with a mean of 3.9 °C (39.0 °F) and an average high of 6.4 °C (43.5 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded was 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) on 30 January 1982, which is the highest temperature recorded anywhere south of 60°S, and the lowest recorded temperature was −27.8 °C (−18.0 °F) in June.

Climate data for Signy Research Station, 6 m asl (1971–2000 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.8
(67.6) 		16.2
(61.2) 		13.3
(55.9) 		4.6
(40.3) 		4.9
(40.8) 		3.9
(39.0) 		7.4
(45.3) 		3.3
(37.9) 		4.7
(40.5) 		6.6
(43.9) 		6.6
(43.9) 		3.6
(38.5) 		19.8
(67.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.1
(43.0) 		6.4
(43.5) 		6.3
(43.3) 		0.7
(33.3) 		0.2
(32.4) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		−4.6
(23.7) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		0.9
(33.6) 		1.1
(34.0) 		2.0
(35.6) 		1.6
(34.9) 		1.1
(34.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 1.2
(34.2) 		3.9
(39.0) 		3.1
(37.6) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		−6.9
(19.6) 		−7.4
(18.7) 		−10.3
(13.5) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		−2.1
(28.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7) 		1.4
(34.5) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−10.1
(13.8) 		−15.6
(3.9) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		−5.1
(22.7)
Record low °C (°F) −1.5
(29.3) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−8.8
(16.2) 		−11.8
(10.8) 		−27.8
(−18.0) 		−27.7
(−17.9) 		−25.4
(−13.7) 		−13.9
(7.0) 		−8.7
(16.3) 		−9.0
(15.8) 		−3.8
(25.2) 		−27.8
(−18.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33.7
(1.33) 		— 72.6
(2.86) 		6.6
(0.26) 		10.3
(0.41) 		2.6
(0.10) 		5.7
(0.22) 		4.7
(0.19) 		140.0
(5.51) 		— — 14.1
(0.56) 		—
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 11.63 — 26.57 — 5.17 — — 1.82 10.00 — — 5.64 —
Source 1: Météo climat stats
Source 2: Météo Climat

See also

References

  1. ^ Antarctic Station Catalogue (PDF) (catalogue). Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. August 2017. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-473-40409-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ "History of Signy (Station H) - British Antarctic Survey". Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  3. ^ "Signy Research Station". British Antarctic Survey. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  4. David Rootes (1988). A concise account of Signy Base 'H'. British Antarctic Survey. p. 17. ISBN 085665129X.
  5. Martin Coombs. "Big whales, small engines!". Railways of the Far South. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  6. "Signy Sea Ice Camera". British Antarctic Survey. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  7. "WMO Region VII (Antarctic: all land/ice south of 60°S): Highest Temperature". Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  8. "Moyennes 1981-2010 Antarctique" (in French). Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  9. "Météo Climat stats for Ile Signy". Météo Climat. Retrieved 11 November 2019.

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