McMurdo is the largest Antarctic station. It is located approx 2380 miles south
of Christchurch New Zealand and 800 miles north of the geographic South Pole. McMurdo is built on the bare
volcanic rock of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island, the solid ground farthest south that is accessible by ship.
The station was established in December 1955. It is the logistics hub
of the U.S. Antarctic Program, with a harbor, landing strips on
sea ice and shelf ice, and a helicopter pad. Its 85 or so buildings range in size from a small shack to large, three-story
structures. Repair facilities, dormitories, administrative buildings, a firehouse, power plant, water distillation plant,
wharf, stores, clubs, warehouses, and the first class science lab are
linked by above-ground water, sewer, telephone, and power lines.
During the austral summer McMurdo's
population is over 1000 while in the winter the population falls to around 250
All resupply flights
to the South Pole originate in McMurdo, and numerous temporary inland and coastal stations are supported by the McMurdo
logistic infrastructure. At the height of the summer, McMurdo is a busy place, with planes, helicopters, and vehicles
coming and going 24 hours a day.
