Gondwana Station & Logistics

For logistic support of its geoscientific research activities in Antarctica, BGR charters or co-charters ships, helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., Twin Otter, Basler, C-130 Hercules) and provides polar equipment, including skidoos, quads, sleds, Scott tents, kitchen and office tents as well as communication devices. Scientific measuring systems for aerogeophysical surveys and a multitude of specific smaller devices are available.

Gondwana Station after its extension 1988/89 Source: BGR

Gondwana Station has been used as main logistic base to support BGR’s flagship program GANOVEX (German Antarctic North Victoria Land Expedition) during numerous expeditions. The station is located at 74°38' S und 164°13' E at 20 m above sea level on Cape Möbius at Gerlache Inlet of Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea and is accessible by ship or aircraft. It was initially installed during GANOVEX III (1982/83) as bivouac hut, much like the Lillie Marleen Hut in the Everett Range of the Transantarctic Mountains, converted into a multi-container summer station and moved to its present location during GANOVEX V (1988/89). The main building consists of 16 interconnected 20-foot containers and includes repair, staff and working rooms, a kitchen, sanitary facilities, a generator station and a seawater treatment plant. The station has also a small biological wastewater treatment plant. The nearest stations are McMurdo (USA) and Scott Base on Ross Island at a distance of approximately 370 km, Mario Zucchelli Station (Italy) at a distance of 7 km, and since early 2014 the permanent Jang Bogo Station (Rep. Korea) at a distance of 1.4 km. Under specific prerequisites, Gondwana Station may be available to other working groups upon request.

Modernisation of Gondwana Station (MOGS 1-5)

Entrance sign of Gondwana Station Source: BGR

After more than 30 years of its existence, a major renovation and modernization of the station was necessary, which was carried out in the 2015/16 Antarctic season. The modernization led to an improvement of safety, working conditions, increase of maintenance feasibility, its operating efficiency, and considerable decrease of the environmental impact. The installation of new power engineering facilities with integrated renewable energy systems, new waste management, water supply and water treatment systems noticeably reduces the human footprint.

The planning was delivered by Steinbacher+Steinbacher ZT GMBH, Austria and the general contractor was Elektromechanik Meisl from Berchtesgaden, Germany. The majority of the work was completed between December 2015 and February 2016. The structure of the station remained basically unchanged. MOGS received logistic support from the Italian and the Korean National Antarctic Program. The renovation / modernization of the station allows its future operation to continue for at least 25 years as a base for scientific research in Victoria Land.

During MOGS	After MOGS
Construction work Source: BGR	Gondwana Station after modernisation Source: BGR
Construction work Source: BGR	Gondwana Station after modernisation Source: BGR

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Research at Gondwana Station

• occupancy in tents up to 20-30 scientists
• summer station with direct access to marine environment
• support of helicopter based field work possible
• frequent establishment of remote field camps

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Lillie-Marleen-Hut

Lillie-Marleen-Hut Source: BGR

The Lillie Marleen Hut was erected during the first German Antarctic North Victoria Land Expedition (GANOVEX I) in 1979/80. The insulated bivouac hut is located in a depression below Mt. Dockery in the Everett Range of the Transantarctic Mountains. It is named after the nearby Lillie Glacier and the song “Lili Marleen”. Together with a memorial stone commemorating the sinking of the expedition ship “Gotland II” and abandonment of GANOVEX II (1980/81), this hut was recognized as an " Historic Sites and Monuments in Antarctica“ by the XXVIII. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Stockholm in 2005.

Onshore stations of BGR in Antarctica:

construction	location	usage during
Lillie-Marleen-Hut  Jan. 1980	71°12'S, 164°31'E	GANOVEX I-IV, VI-VIII (visits/inspections: GANOVEX IX, X, XI)
Gondwana-Station  Jan. 1983, extension 1988/89, modernisation 2015/2016	74°38'S, 164°13'E	GANOVEX III-VII, IX, X, XIII, GITARA XI