Timeline for Amundsen Scott South Pole Station

The construction of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station began in November 1956, to support the International Geophysical Year in 1957. The International Geophysical Year was based on the previous, smaller scale International Polar Years (1882–83 and 1932–33), and was used to join multiple nations and their scientists together. The year chosen was full of intense solar activity, and so it was decided that the participating nations would look at a variety of aspects of the earth and not just the polar regions. It allowed for scientific exchange across the world, in a time where tensions were high between the East and West (Cold War).

The Original station, completed in February 1957, lasted until 1975. Before its construction, the winter conditions at the South Pole had never been measured. As a result, the station was built partially underground as it was thought that this would protect it from the weather. However, it caused wind-blown snow to build up in the surrounding area, burying the structure further at a rate of about four feet a year. The station is now deeply buried, and has been abandoned since 1975. Its wooden roof has caved in because of pressure, and the site is now a hazardous area off limits to visitors.

Plan of the old station

The next station was built as a geodesic dome in 1975. From the 1990s on, astrophysical research took advantage of the atmospheric conditions of the South Pole, producing significant scientific results. An observatory building was dedicated in 1995. The increasing importance of these projects resulted in the increase of scientific cargo and personnel. The Dome was initially designed to house 18 people during the winter and 33 during the summer but as the infrastructure and technology increased, a number of science and berthing structure were added in the 1990s. The Dome was in use until 2003.

In 1999, a physician, Jerri Nielson, staying for the winter, diagnosed herself with breast cancer and began treatment. She trained the staff around her to help with chemo. She was stuck there for the winter months because of the extreme cold, and no planes flew in during this time. There was only one doctor, and no other trained medical staff. A Navy was supposed to drop her medical supplies but the plane couldn't land because the gear and mechanical fluids would freeze. She was evenutally flown home. Jerri Nielson died in 2009.

In 2003, the new Elevated station was built. Its design started in 1992 by Ferraro Choi & Associates, and its construction began in 1999. Important features, indicating a growth in the design resulting from experience, include a modular design which allows for an increasing station population, as well as an adjustable elevation to prevent the station from being buried in snow. (Other measures have also been taken to keep the structure from being quickly in snow. For example, an angled wall faces the wind thus increasing the speed of the wind as it passes above, causing snow to be scoured away.

It is evident that the station not only changed over time as they learned from experience, but the changing conditions also resulted in the change in design. The station had to accommodate these changes, hence the building evolved. The first station was built to support researchers during the International Geophysical Year. However, interest in Polar Research increased so a new design and a larger station were necessary. The dome facility was designed to accommodate 18 people during the winter and 33 during the summer, but over time the design couldn’t contain the growing infrastructure and technology. As a result, science and berthing structures were added in the 1990s. Finally, the elevated station was constructed to further deal with the problems of the climate and the increasing population of the station.