4. Once we landed on the ice runway of the Ross Sea near McMurdo Station, "Ivan, the Terra Bus" came out to the runway to take us to the station. It was a two mile trip into "town," (actually a research base). Notice how big Ivan's tires are compared to the man in the picture.

5. Here is an aerial photo of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It is the largest of the U.S. research bases and the largest one overall on the continent. It reminds some people of a small Alaska mining town, and in the summer, peak population can reach about 1,200 people, (winter maybe 100 or so). There is a state of the art science lab, called Crary Lab, dormitories, a "galley" or huge dining facility, machine and equipment storage and work shops, supply storage, fuel storage, a waste treatment plant, water purification plant, a fire station, medical facility, outdoor survival training building, radio station, local newspaper (summer only) and so much MORE!

It's an independent town that has to support many different individuals.

©2000 - Photo by Betty Trummel

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