Artigas Base

Quality 0.50 · 0 views · Updated 2 months ago

title: "Artigas Base" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["outposts-of-the-south-shetland-islands", "uruguay-and-the-antarctic", "josé-gervasio-artigas", "1984-establishments-in-antarctica"] topic_path: "general/outposts-of-the-south-shetland-islands" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artigas_Base" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameArtigas Station
settlement_typeAntarctic base
image_skylineBase Artigas 4.jpg
imagesize300
image_captionArtigas Base in summer 2025.
flag_size110px
flag_borderno
image_sealInstituto Antartico Uruguayo.png
seal_size150
seal_altSeal of the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute.
mapsize350px
pushpin_mapAntarctica
pushpin_map_altLocation of Artigas Base in Antarctica
pushpin_map_captionLocation of Artigas Base in Antarctica
pushpin_mapsize300
pushpin_reliefyes
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameUruguay
subdivision_type1Location in Antarctica
subdivision_name1King George Island
South Shetland Islands
subdivision_type3Administered by
subdivision_name3Uruguayan Antarctic Institute
established_titleEstablished
established_date
named_forJosé Gervasio Artigas
unit_pref
area_urban_footnotes
area_rural_footnotes
area_metro_footnotes
area_magnitude
area_blank2_title
area_blank2_km2
elevation_footnotes
elevation_m17
population_as_of2017
population_footnotes
population_blank1_titleSummer
population_blank160
population_blank2_titleWinter
population_blank28
blank_name_sec1Type
blank_info_sec1All-year round
blank1_name_sec1Period
blank1_info_sec1Annual
blank2_name_sec1Status
blank2_info_sec1Operational
blank_name_sec2Activities
blank_info_sec2
code1_nameUN/LOCODE
code1_infoAQ ART
::

| name = Artigas Station | official_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Antarctic base | image_skyline = Base Artigas 4.jpg | imagesize = 300 | image_caption = Artigas Base in summer 2025. | image_flag = | flag_size = 110px | flag_border = no | flag_alt = | image_seal = Instituto Antartico Uruguayo.png | seal_size = 150 | seal_alt = Seal of the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute. | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | mapsize = 350px | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Antarctica | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Artigas Base in Antarctica | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Artigas Base in Antarctica | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label_position = | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Uruguay | subdivision_type1 = Location in Antarctica | subdivision_name1 = King George Island South Shetland Islands | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = Administered by | subdivision_name3 = Uruguayan Antarctic Institute | established_title = Established | established_date = | extinct_title = | extinct_date = | named_for = José Gervasio Artigas | etymology = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = tags --| area_footnotes = | area_urban_footnotes = | area_rural_footnotes = | area_metro_footnotes = | area_magnitude = | area_note = | area_water_percent = | area_rank = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank2_title = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_urban_km2 = | area_rural_km2 = | area_metro_km2 = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank2_km2 = | area_total_ha = | area_land_ha = | area_water_ha = | area_urban_ha = | area_rural_ha = | area_metro_ha = | area_blank1_ha = | area_blank2_ha = | length_km = | width_km = | dimensions_footnotes = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 17 | population_as_of = 2017 | population_footnotes = | population_total = | population_blank1_title = Summer | population_blank1 = 60 | population_blank2_title = Winter | population_blank2 = 8 | population_density_km2 = | population_note = | population_demonym = | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | blank_name_sec1 = Type | blank_info_sec1 = All-year round | blank1_name_sec1 = Period | blank1_info_sec1 = Annual | blank2_name_sec1 = Status | blank2_info_sec1 = Operational | blank_name_sec2 = Activities | blank_info_sec2 = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | code1_name = UN/LOCODE | code1_info = AQ ART | website = | footnotes =

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/King-George-Island-location-map.png" caption="King George Island]] in the South Shetland Islands."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Kgeorge_map.png" caption="Map of King George Island showing location of Artigas Base"] ::

The General Artigas Station (), also referred to as the Artigas Base is the larger of the two Uruguayan scientific research stations in Antarctica, the other one being Elichiribehety Base. It is one of the 68 permanent bases in Antarctica.

Organization

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Base_Artigas_1.jpg" caption="Artigas Base in winter 2024."] ::

The Artigas Base depends on the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute Plans & Operations Direction which is ruled by an Interministerial Council, with delegates of MoD, Foreign Affairs and ministry of Education and Culture. Uruguay, a Consultative member of Antarctic Treaty since 7 October 1985, has a permanent, active and autonomous activity as a National Governmental Program in Antarctic. It comes to effect operating an all year round station in King George Island, South Shetland, and seasonally at Antarctic Peninsula, and onboard its vessel, where performs scientific activity based on SCAR & Treaty needs and recommendations, supported by own logistic sea and air transport, and operating under COMNAP guidelines. Has delegates and members as full member of SCAR, SCAR-WG, COMNAP-SCALOP networks & WG, CCAMLR and ATCM.

Since 1984 research has been performed in these areas:

Glaciology: General Glaciology on KGI, South Shetlands, and Antarctic Peninsula, in various fields aiming to detect environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities and those related as response to climatic changes. This program is in scope of SCAR recommendations and is being carried out in cooperation with other nations operating in Antarctica(KORDI)

Atmospheric sciences Calibration of effects of the atmosphere on metals commonly used in the Antarctic Mossbauer spectroscopy to identify atmospheric corrosion products Installation and operation of an ionospheric laboratory at Artigas, the Uruguayan year-round research station on King George Island

Ocean sciences Comparative studies of physical and chemical variables in coastal waters of Fildes Bay Observations of the Antarctic Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) Marine meteorology of Drake passage, according to SCAR and Treaty objectives.

Earth sciences Satellite geodesy applications for SCAR_EPOCH & GIANT Program

Life sciences Medical research Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) vascular and lipid characteristics Modification of collagen disease and atheroma in rabbits by adding krill to their diet Ornithological observations in Fildes Peninsula (King George Island), South Bay (Livingston Island), and Harmony Point (Nelson Island), South Shetland Islands Behavioral studies in a penguin colony in the South Shetland Islands

Logistics: Are provided by the National Defense Ministry (of which the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute is a part) and the armed forces (army, navy, and air force), which also contribute to scientific programs.

Transport methods include Hercules C-130B airplanes, Bell 212 helicopters, Navy Ships and other seaborne units, amphibious vehicles, and various land vehicles.

Uruguayan Antarctic research is generally proportional to overall national efforts, although there is a special emphasis on life sciences and those related to changes in the environment.

Uruguay is particularly mindful of environmental matters and abides by all agreements and treaties pertinent to the Antarctic, so develops continuous environment monitoring programs complementing the impact assessments of its activities.

General information

Location of base

  • South Shetlands, KGI, Fildes Peninsula
  • Lat: 62°11'04"S Long: 58°54'14"W
  • 17 m above sea level
  • Ice free surface
  • 100 meters from the Antarctic coastline
  • Bellingshausen Station nearest base
  • Ushuaia (1000 km) nearest port

Major dates

  • Station opened 22 December 1984
  • Breaks in operation:22/12/84

Population

  • 60 persons capacity
  • 9 average summer population
  • 8 average winter population

Additional notes

Around 10 scientists in summer, 6 crew for helicopter, 3-5 for maintenance, 4 servicemen.

Science activities

The following science activities are carried out at Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas:

  • Environmental monitoring (since 1998)
  • Geodesy/mapping (since 1986)
  • Glaciology - continental (since 1991)
  • Human biology (since 1985)
  • Ionospheric/auroral observations (since 1992)
  • Meteorological observations (since 1984)
  • Stratospheric ozone monitoring (since 1998)
  • Tide measurement (since 1989)

Observations and scientific programs

Station infrastructure

Area and buildings

  • 24000 total station area
  • 13 buildings

Power and fuel supply

  • 220 V 60 Hz power supply
  • 375 kVA power generation capacity
  • 3 generators
  • Generators fuelled with winter blend fuel
  • [[File:Base Artigas 2.jpg|thumb|300x300px|[[Flag of Uruguay|Flags of Uruguay]] in the base.]]160.000 lts of fuel used annually
  • none wind generator

Water and sewage

  • Potable water supply source/method:Lake
  • 876000 of water used each year

Medical facilities

  • Base Cientifica Antárctica Artigas has the following medical facilities:
    • 30 sqm medical suite
    • 1 doctor
    • 0 paramedic(s)
    • 2 beds for patients
    • MEDEVAC & Fire Plan updated and exercised

Logistic support

  • Ice
    • Ice breakout: October
    • Fast ice formation: late May
  • Shipping
    • 1 ship visit(s) per season
    • 1 resupply visit(s) per season (in January)
    • 300 m from station to anchorage
    • 30 m deep anchorage
  • Air transport
    • 7 intercontinental flights per season
    • Aircraft used: Hercules C-130
    • Light aircraft/helicopter available December–March
    • Types used: Bell r Helicopter airstrip surface
    • at base from station to airstrip
  • Other support transport
    • Tracked personnel carriers: 2x Hagglunds
    • Snowmobiles: 1x snowmobile
    • Rough terrain quads/tricycles: 1x quad
    • Outboard watercraft: 2x zodiacs
  • Trucks
    • 1xIFA
  • Tractors, loaders, excavators
    • Wheeled tractor(s): 1 massey ferguson

References

References

  5. (August 2017). "Antarctic Station Catalogue". [[Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

outposts-of-the-south-shetland-islandsuruguay-and-the-antarcticjosé-gervasio-artigas1984-establishments-in-antarctica