China to Build Third Antarctic Base

A map showing China’s three Antarctic stations.

China is to build the Kunlun Research Station, the country’s first inland Antarctic station since establishment of the Changcheng and Zhongshan stations, in the 4,083 meter-high Dome Argus (Dome A) zone – the tallest icecap on the South Pole.

The 556-square-meter station is equipped with power generators, water treatment equipment, and transport and telecom facilities sufficient for the needs of 24 people. Scientists assigned to the Kunlun Research Station are to conduct deep ice core drilling, astronomic observations and geologic drilling of sub-glacial mountains.