KOHNEN

  • AQKHN
  • Latitude: -74.8827
  • Longitude: -2.43028
  • Shelter in Antarctica

Location: Antarctica

Kohnen Station is a German research facility located in Antarctica, operating under the auspices of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. However, it is not a marine port. Instead, it is an inland research station situated on the Antarctic Plateau, primarily focused on glaciology and other scientific studies.

Here are some key details and specifications of Kohnen Station:

General Information:

  • Location: Antarctica, at approximately 75°00′S 00°04′E.
  • Establishment: Opened in the 2000–2001 austral summer.
  • Operator: Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Germany.
  • Purpose: Primarily used for scientific research, particularly in glaciology, meteorology, and climate studies.

Facilities and Structure:

  • Buildings: The station consists of several buildings, including a main living quarters, laboratories, and storage areas.
  • Capacity: The station can accommodate a small team of scientists and support staff, generally numbering up to 20 during the summer research campaign.
  • Amenities: Basic amenities are available to support the daily needs of the inhabitants, including living, dining, and sleeping quarters.
  • Power Supply: The station is equipped with generators to provide electricity, mainly from diesel fuel.

Environment:

  • Climate: The station experiences harsh Antarctic climate conditions, with average summer temperatures between -20°C and -30°C and winter temperatures plummeting even lower.
  • Accessibility: The station is accessible primarily by air; flights typically transfer from other Antarctic bases or supply points. It is equipped with a temporary airstrip for these operations.

Research Focus:

  • Glaciology: Studies involving ice core drilling and analysis to understand past climate conditions.
  • Meteorology: Collection of atmospheric data to support climate modeling and weather prediction.
  • Other Sciences: Various other scientific studies related to the unique conditions of the Antarctic environment.

Logistics:

  • Supplies: Due to its remote location, most supplies must be brought in by air. Resupply missions are usually carried out during the austral summer when conditions are less severe.
  • Communication: The station maintains communication links with internet and satellite phone capabilities to ensure coordination with other research stations and headquarters.

Notable Projects:

  • EPICA (European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica): Kohnen Station has been a significant site for this international research project aimed at extracting deep ice cores to study Earth's climate history.

Conclusion:

Kohnen Station is a crucial hub for scientific research in one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth. It provides valuable data that contribute to our understanding of global climatic patterns and environmental changes.

If you are looking for information about marine ports in Antarctica, it would be more appropriate to consider research stations located on the coast, such as McMurdo Station or Palmer Station, which have access to sea routes.

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