Is there NOWHERE on Antarctica to establish a small town?

[TechBoyJK]

Anywhere? Or is it literally just a giant chunk of ice?

Antarctica has no cities, permanent residents, government, or capital.

There are no countries on Antarctica and no permanent population. Many countries have scientific research stations on Antarctica with seasonal manning, a few Antarctic stations have all year round manning. There is currently no capital of Antarctica nor is there an official language.

I'm just curious. I know there are some stations there for exploring.. but since it's 'wild wild west' I'm surprised some people haven't tried to setup a 'government free' zone somewhere. Couldn't you live off ice fishing and such?

Stupid question I'm sure but I'm pretty ignorant to Antarctica and what's going on down there.

 

[Saint Nick]

Not sure what the weather is like in Antarctica, but I can't imagine it'd be worth dealing with in order to live there.

 

[Paul98]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Antarctica

 

[arrfep]

Not sure what the weather is like in Antarctica, but I can't imagine it'd be worth dealing with in order to live there.

Pretty sure it's nigh uninhabitable for most of the year. Or at least quite inhospitable. Not quite the same as someone braving a Wyoming winter in the frontier days.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Not sure what the weather is like in Antarctica, but I can't imagine it'd be worth dealing with in order to live there.

Basically this.

I can only see developed countries want to start a town/city/settlement there but without any reason (resources to obtain) to do so I don't see them viewing it as a worthy investment.

Also anyone that would want to get away from the government and start their own would be rich enough to realize that creating a thriving economy in Antartica is probably a bust.

Anyone that's not rich enough will probably not make it there let alone survive long enough to build anything that would keep them safe.

Unlike the wild frontier of America, Antartica will probably kill you in a few hours without proper gear.

 

[darkxshade]

Someone should have a child there... would be awesome to be born an Antartican

 

[FoBoT]

literally, everything, has to be shipped in
so first you'd need many $$$$$$

permanent construction is almost impossible, you either build on ice or permafrost
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165232X09001335

 

[Saint Nick]

It'd be pretty damn tough...I guess you could do it if you could somehow build settlements inside of huge glass domes/boxes.

 

[FoBoT]

Someone should have a child there... would be awesome to be born an Antartican

At least ten children have been born in West Antarctica. The first was Emilio Marcos Palma, born on January 7, 1978 to Argentine parents at Esperanza

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZaWQszR0ZBqwzVtA&sig2=Ubpc-3wEstpq0KXCcxjK4A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctica#Population

Emilio Marcos Palma was the first person born south of the 60th parallel south (the continental limit according to the Antarctic Treaty),[47] as well as the first one born on the Antarctic mainland, in 1978 at Base Esperanza, on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula;[48][49] his parents were sent there along with seven other families by the Argentine government to determine if family life was suitable on the continent. In 1984, Juan Pablo Camacho was born at the Frei Montalva Station, becoming the first Chilean born in Antarctica. Several bases are now home to families with children attending schools at the station.[50] As of 2009, eleven children were born in Antarctica (south of the 60th parallel south): eight at the Argentinean Esperanza Base[51] and three at the Chilean Frei Montalva Station.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Hmm... I wonder if someone started out by creating a power grid (solar? wind? nuclear?), and then underground "bunkers" that could be well insulated, lighted, heated, etc., if permanent life on Antarctica could become a reality.

Fresh water shouldn't be a problem (due to the abundance of ice and snow to melt and purify), though waste water disposal may be a bit more tricky. Underground bio-domes could be constructed over the course of several decades, while supplies are pumped in in the mean time, until they are self-sustaining.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Permanent below zero weather with most days having blowing snow/ice crystals.

Fuel driven engines have to be kept constantly running or have an external heat source.
Fuel itself will gel.

Mining minerals is forbidden by treaty - only research.
Supplies come in by boat during thaw.
Emergency flights are available from Chile. Weather could delay such for weeks on end. Flying a couple of thousand miles in lousy weather is rough.

If you are an IT support guy, Lockheed has taken over from Raytheon Polar Service which was always looking. chance to get a job while experiencing the lost continent.

I have worked with a guy that was down there. It was an experience, but he would not go back if one has a family.

 

[JTsyo]

It'd be pretty damn tough...I guess you could do it if you could somehow build settlements inside of huge glass domes/boxes.

The snow accumulates though. SO if you didn't clear it off you would be buried as the years passed.

Without the ability to farm or raise wild stock you would be depended on external supplies. Can't ever remember seeing any plant life in Antarctica.

 

[SunnyD]

I think the more important point that everybody is forgetting about is the fact that there's an international treaty stating that no country/entity can "claim" dominion over any part of the continent.

 

[MisterJackson]

I thought it was illegal to do that?? I was under the impression there's some agreement or treaty that bans any country from claiming it or settling it in anything more than a scientific capacity?

Besides, where would Cobra Commander put his lair if we moved in?

 

[SunnyD]

I thought it was illegal to do that?? I was under the impression there's some agreement or treaty that bans any country from claiming it or settling it in anything more than a scientific capacity?

Besides, where would Cobra Commander put his lair if we moved in?

"Psst! Look one post above yours..."

 

[Rastus]

Not to mention that the ground itself is 1000 feet below you through very dense ice.

 

[Squisher]

In the summer the ice is less cold.

 

[manimal]

I was there a few years ago and the polish camp is a small city. They were hilarious too talking to the old people asking stupid questions during the tour. One old lady asked about global warming and they said that the sun was a myth.

 

[dainthomas]

Not sure what the weather is like in Antarctica, but I can't imagine it'd be worth dealing with in order to live there.

Condition 1 Windspeed over 55 knots (60 miles per hour) Visibility less than 100 feet (30 meters) Wind chill below −100 °F (−73 °C) Description: Dangerous conditions; outside travel is not permitted. Condition 2 Windspeed of 48 to 55 knots (55 to 63 miles per hour) Visibility 1/4 of a mile to 100 feet (402 to 30 meters) Wind chill of −75 °F (−60 °C) to −100 °F (−73 °C) Description: Unpleasant conditions; outside travel is permitted but not recommended. Condition 3 Windspeed below 48 knots (55 miles per hour) Visibility greater than 1/4 of a mile (402 meters) Wind chill above −75 °F (−60 °C) Description: Pleasant conditions; all outside travel is permitted.

Lolantarcticweather

 

[mnewsham]

Condition 3
Windspeed below 48 knots (55 miles per hour)
Visibility greater than 1/4 of a mile (402 meters)
Wind chill above −75 °F (−60 °C)
Description: Pleasant conditions; all outside travel is permitted.

Well then, I guess I'v been doing it wrong all these winter months staying inside once it hit 0 °C.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

It's not just a giant chunk of ice; it's a giant chunk of land with a much larger chunk of ice on top of it. Ice fishing doesn't work well when there's land under the ice; it would be like cutting a hole in the snow on your lawn and trying to fish.

 

[brainhulk]

I bet my q6600 will overclock nicely in antarctica

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Anywhere? Or is it literally just a giant chunk of ice?



I'm just curious. I know there are some stations there for exploring.. but since it's 'wild wild west' I'm surprised some people haven't tried to setup a 'government free' zone somewhere...

Wouldn't a government-free zone require some type of government to enforce it's policy of no government?

 

[RPD]

They should set up server farms there, tons of free cooling!

 

[Printer Bandit]

until we can build a permanent settlement on Antarctica, there's no point talking about colonizing the moon and mars. need to start with baby steps.