Russian scientists stationed at the Vostok (East) station in Antarctica have set a new temperature record, recording the lowest temperature for March - 76.4 degrees Celsius.
This was reported in a statement published by the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Scientific Research Institute.
According to the statement, this temperature became the new absolute minimum for the month of March throughout the station's meteorological period. The previous record low temperature was -76.3 degrees Celsius, recorded in 2020.
Temperature measurements are taken at the station located in the heart of the sixth continent (Antarctica) as part of the regular monitoring of climatic conditions in Antarctica.
For the second year running, polar researchers are staying at the Russian Vostok Station in its new winter complex. It's worth noting that while summer arrives in April in the Northern Hemisphere, the opposite is true in Antarctica, where winter begins in that month.
Despite this harsh climate, all the station's equipment and systems operate with remarkable precision. Among the research conducted by scientists are the cultivation of legumes, vegetables, and even melons. Over six years, more than 200 different varieties have been harvested. The scientific program also included the cultivation of wild strawberries in the coldest place on the planet.
The Russian Vostok station is a unique scientific research station, a living testament to the ability of man to survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Here is a brief overview of the most distinctive features of this station:
Its location and climate : It is located in the heart of East Antarctica at an altitude of 3,488 meters, and is 1,300 km from the South Pole, making it one of the most isolated places on Earth.It is known as the "Pole of Cold," as it was there that the coldest natural temperature in the world was recorded, reaching -89.2 degrees Celsius on July 21, 1983..
Its history and importance : The station was founded on December 16, 1957 by the Soviet Union, and took its name from the ship "Vostok" which led the first Russian expedition to the continent.Its scientific importance lies in its being an ideal location for observing the Earth's magnetic field, studying climate science, and drilling ice to extract climate records spanning more than 400,000 years..
Beneath its surface lies Lake Vostok, the world's largest subglacial lake, with an estimated volume of 5,400 cubic kilometers of fresh water, making it the fifth largest freshwater body in the world by volume.This lake has remained isolated from the Earth's surface for millions of years, and it is believed that it may contain unknown life forms.In February 2012, Russian scientists successfully reached the surface of the lake after drilling to a depth of 3,769 meters below the ice..
Modern facilities : The station has been completely modernized in recent years. A new, state-of-the-art winter complex opened in January 2024.This complex consists of five units with a total area exceeding 3,000 square meters. It can accommodate 15 people in winter and 35 in summer.It provides researchers with comfortable living conditions including a modern medical unit, a gym, and even a sauna..
Agricultural activities : In an unprecedented move, scientists at the station have succeeded since 2020 in cultivating more than 200 varieties of vegetables and legumes in advanced greenhouses, to provide fresh food.Successfully grown crops included tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and even a watermelon that ripened in just 104 days, weighing 1.2 kilograms.Their future plans include growing strawberries in the coldest spot on Earth..
