Brazil to open new Antarctic research base

Handout picture taken on April 21, 2019 and released by the Brazilian Navy showing an aerial view of Brazil's new Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, located on King George Island, on the South Shetland archipelago. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The government invested nearly $100 million in the reconstruction of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station
  • The base has been built on the site of the previous facility, which was largely razed in a 2012 fire caused by a fuel leak
  • Scientific research continued in a temporary installation

Brazil will open a new research base in Antarctica this week, officials said Tuesday, eight years after a fire destroyed its original scientific outpost.

The government invested nearly $100 million in the reconstruction of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station, a 48,500-square-foot complex on

King George Island, the largest in the South Shetland archipelago, state media said.

Vice President Hamilton Mourao and Science and Technology Minister Marcos Pontes will attend the official opening ceremony, which Brazil's Navy said was scheduled for Wednesday.

The base has been built on the site of the previous facility, which was largely razed in a 2012 fire caused by a fuel leak. Two Brazilian soldiers were killed in the blaze.

RESEARCH

Scientific research continued in a temporary installation.

Since it was established in 1984, the base has been used for research into meteorology, biology, chemistry and medicine.

The new centre -- built by Chinese state-owned company CEIEC -- consists of 17 laboratories and accommodation for 64 people.

About 30 countries, all members of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, operate research bases in Antarctica. The pact aims to reduce the likelihood of confrontations over territorial disputes there.

Brazil joined the treaty in 1975.