Antarctic bases in Spain

Spain has two summer bases in Antarctica located in the South Shetland Islands. The Juan Carlos I base (1988-present) is on the island of Livingston Island and the Gabriel de Castilla base (1989-present) is on Deception Island. It also has a temporary camp, called Camp Byers (2001-present), on the Byers Peninsula of Livingston Island.

Operation

In these bases numerous and valuable scientific studies are carried out, both biological, geological, climatological, etc. In the case of the Gabriel de Castilla base, military investigations are also carried out. They only work during the southern summer.

Logistics and maintenance support has been provided since 1991 by the oceanographic research vessel Hespérides (A-33) supported by the BIO Las Palmas, both from the Spanish Navy, until the withdrawal of this last one of the Antarctic missions, a place that has been occupied by the Oceanographic ship "Sarmiento de Gamboa" to the construction of ships specifically designed for this purpose.

Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base

Spanish Antarctic base "Juan Carlos I" in 2008.

The central region of Livingston Island with the bases San Clemente de Ohrid, Juan Carlos I, and Campo Academia.

The first to be opened was the Juan Carlos I on the Hurd peninsula (in front of South Bay) of Livingston Island (62°39′46″S 60°23′20 ″O / -62.66278, -60.38889). Inaugurated in January 1988, it is managed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation through the CSIC Marine Technology Unit and bases its activities around the Hurd peninsula, as well as the establishment of a temporary camp on the Byers peninsula (Byers Camp, international operation). It works from November to March.

Camp Byers

Byers Camp in 2017.

The Byers Peninsula International Camp (abbreviated as Byers Camp) is an international camp and seasonal base, but kept in operational condition by the personnel of the Juan Carlos I base of Spain. It is located on the Byers Peninsula of Livingston Island, in the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It was installed in 2001. It is used during the months of November to March.

Gabriel de Castilla Antarctic Base

Spanish Antarctic base "Gabriel de Castilla" in 2013.

The second one to be founded is Gabriel de Castilla, managed by the Spanish Army, and located on the volcanic Deception Island at latitude 62°58′38″S 60°40′33″W / -62.97722, -60.67583. It was inaugurated at the end of 1989 and beginning of 1990. Currently, temporary camps are being carried out within the same continent, to test the resistance of equipment. It works from November to March.

Isle of disappointment, location of the Gabriel de Castilla base.

Objectives

The objectives of the bases right now are four:

• To maintain the presence of Spain in the Antarctic territory, in compliance with the agreements signed by that country in the framework of the Antarctic Treaty and its protocols, ensuring strict compliance and respect for the international legislation relating to that continent.

• Maintain the facilities, materials and equipment of the BAE GdC in appropriate conditions of employment, enabling the development of research and experimentation in optimal conditions by the assigned staff, and with the lowest possible environmental impact in the area.

• Develop research projects and experimentation of interest to the Earth Army.

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Economics in the scientific research carried out in the Deception Island and in those other places in the Antarctic territory to be determined.

Map

• L.L. Ivanov. Antarctica: Livingston Island and Greenwich, Robert, Snow and Smith Islands. Scale 1:120000 topographic map. Troyan: Manfred Wörner Foundation, 2009. ISBN 978-954-92032-6-4 (English)