Dome argus

 

The highest ice feature (4 000 m+) in Antarctica. It is located within the AAT near the western boundary with Dronning Maud Land, and overlies the #Gamburtsev #Subglacial #Mountains. Mapped in detail by radio echo sounding by the Scott Polar Research Institute and formerly designated Dome "A". Named after Argus the ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts in Greek mythology.

In Dec 2016, the name was changed from #Argus Dome to #Dome Argus. Documentation shows the approved name was Dome Argus.

#Beijing is leading negotiations to turn Dome Argus into a special zone for ‘scientific research and protecting the environment’. #China is leading an effort to turn the highest point in #Antarctida into a special zone for “scientific research and protecting the environment” and says it is open to working with other countries.

The foreign ministry said Beijing was taking the lead in “open negotiations” to turn Dome Argus, which is also known as Dome A, into a protected region – or Antarctic Specially Managed Area (#ASMA).

China has the biggest presence on Dome Argus and was the first nation to reach the remote plain of ice, at 4,093 metres above sea level, in a land expedition in 2005, according to Chinese researchers.

It established the #Kunlun station there 10 years ago, setting up research facilities including a #telescope array for astronomical observation and monitoring space #debris.

But the US has since set up its own, temporary base about 100km (62 miles) away from Kunlun, which some Chinese researchers see as an attempt to block Beijing’s ASMA plan.

The US base appears to be backed by the US military programme supporting Antarctic activities, Operation Deep Freeze, according to a Chinese polar scientist who asked not to be named due to the political sensitivity of the issue.

China has stepped up its activities in Antarctica in recent years, building a permanent airfield, two permanent stations, Great Wall and Zhongshan, and two seasonal stations, Kunlun and Taishan. A fifth Chinese station is also being built.

Chinese scientists say the US has also expanded its presence in the region, raising concerns that competition between the two countries has now been extended to the South Pole.

Responding to a query about the US presence, the foreign ministry stressed that China was open to cooperating with other countries in Antarctica.

“The South Pole is crucial to the survival and sustainable future of the human race. [It] should become a new frontier of multinational cooperation, rather than an arena for power plays,” the ministry said.

“Building a peaceful and stable Antarctica which is environmentally friendly and with a fair governance system is in the interests of mankind,” it continued.

“China is willing to work together with other countries to turn Antarctica into a new high point of international cooperation and for the further development of the South Pole.”

Under the Antarctic Treaty System signed by 54 nations, the role of an ASMA is to “assist in the planning and coordination of activities within a specified area, avoid possible conflicts [and] improve cooperation”.

The country that proposes an ASMA usually has the biggest say on how it is managed.

But Beijing’s campaign, which has been going on for several years, has met with “fierce” opposition from the US, according to one scientist who was familiar with the negotiations.

It is a battle of political will, military power, global influence … and it has been heating up noticeably in recent months.

Many satellites including spy and military probes use a polar orbit to achieve global coverage, and after service they become junk. The US has expressed interest in setting up a powerful laser in Antarctica to be used to fire at, and clean up, space debris.

But strong air turbulence over American sites in the region – such as Dome Circe, or Dome C – could affect the aim of laser beams, among other problems.

Conditions at Dome Argus, however, are better than anywhere else on the continent – the average wind speed is just 2 metres per second, year round. Earlier this month, Chinese scientists said they had made a record astronomical sighting from the ice dome, claiming it was the best location for star gazing on Earth.

 

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