Pole of inaccessibility: Difference between revisions
200.89.39.210 (talk) |
200.89.39.210 (talk) |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
The southern pole of inaccessibility is far more remote and difficult to reach than the Geographic South Pole. On [[14 December]] [[1958]], the [[3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition]] for [[International Geophysical Year]] research work, led by [[Yevgeny Tolstikov]], established the temporary [[Pole of inaccessibility (Antarctic research station)|Pole of Inaccessibility Station]] (''Polyus Nedostupnosti'') at {{coord|82|06|S|54|58|E|name=Pole of Inaccessibility Station}}. A second Russian team returned there in 1967. Today a building still remains at this location, marked by a bust of [[Vladimir Lenin]] that faces towards [[Moscow]], and it is protected as a historical site. Inside the building there is a golden visitors' book for those who make it to the site to sign. However, as of 2007, only the bust on top of the building is visible – the rest is buried under the snow.<ref>[http://www.teamn2i.com team n2i website uploaded jan 2007]</ref> |
The southern pole of inaccessibility is far more remote and difficult to reach than the Geographic South Pole. On [[14 December]] [[1958]], the [[3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition]] for [[International Geophysical Year]] research work, led by [[Yevgeny Tolstikov]], established the temporary [[Pole of inaccessibility (Antarctic research station)|Pole of Inaccessibility Station]] (''Polyus Nedostupnosti'') at {{coord|82|06|S|54|58|E|name=Pole of Inaccessibility Station}}. A second Russian team returned there in 1967. Today a building still remains at this location, marked by a bust of [[Vladimir Lenin]] that faces towards [[Moscow]], and it is protected as a historical site. Inside the building there is a golden visitors' book for those who make it to the site to sign. However, as of 2007, only the bust on top of the building is visible – the rest is buried under the snow.<ref>[http://www.teamn2i.com team n2i website uploaded jan 2007]</ref> |
||
On [[December 11]] [[2005]], at 7:57 UTC Ramón Larramendi, Juan Manuel Viu and Ignacio Oficialdegui members of the Spanish Transantarctic Expedition reached for the first time in history the South Pole of Inaccessibility at {{coord|82|53|14|S|55|04|30|E|name=British Antarctic Survey-accredited Pole of Inaccessibility}} updated that year by the British Antarctic Survey. The team continued their journey towards the second South Pole of Inaccessibility, the one that accounts the continental land as well as the ice-shelves which was also reached for the first time by this expedition on [[December 14]] [[2005]], at {{coord|83|50|37|S|65|43|30|E|name=British Antarctic Survey-accredited Pole of Inaccessibility}} Both achivements took place within an ambitious pioneer crossing of the eastern Antartict Plateau that started in Novolazerevskaya base and ended in Progress base after more than 4.500km becoming the fastest unsupported and without mechanical help polar journey ever with an average of around 90km/day and maximum 311km/day using uniquely kites as power source.<ref name="thepoles.com"/<ref>http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=1276</ref><ref>http://www.barrabes.com/revista/articulo_ant.asp?idArticulo=4549</ref><ref>http://www.tierraspolares.es/catamaran/inaccesibilidad_i.htm</ref> |
On [[December 11]] [[2005]], at 7:57 UTC Ramón Larramendi, Juan Manuel Viu and Ignacio Oficialdegui members of the Spanish Transantarctic Expedition reached for the first time in history the South Pole of Inaccessibility at {{coord|82|53|14|S|55|04|30|E|name=British Antarctic Survey-accredited Pole of Inaccessibility}} updated that year by the British Antarctic Survey. The team continued their journey towards the second South Pole of Inaccessibility, the one that accounts the continental land as well as the ice-shelves which was also reached for the first time by this expedition on [[December 14]] [[2005]], at {{coord|83|50|37|S|65|43|30|E|name=British Antarctic Survey-accredited Pole of Inaccessibility}} Both achivements took place within an ambitious pioneer crossing of the eastern Antartict Plateau that started in Novolazerevskaya base and ended in Progress base after more than 4.500km becoming the fastest unsupported and without mechanical help polar journey ever with an average of around 90km/day and maximum 311km/day using uniquely kites as power source.<ref name="thepoles.com"/<ref>http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=1276</ref><ref>http://www.barrabes.com/revista/articulo_ant.asp?idArticulo=4549</ref><ref>http://www.tierraspolares.es/catamaran/inaccesibilidad_i.htm</ref><ref name="thepoles.com"/<ref>http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=1298</ref> |
||
On [[December 4]], [[2006]], [http://www.teamn2i.com Team N2i] consisting of [http://www.henrycookson.com Henry Cookson], Rupert Longsdon, Rory Sweet and Paul Landry embarked on an expedition to reach the location without direct mechanical assistance, using a combination of traditional man hauling and kite skiing. The team reached the old Soviet station on [[20 January]] [[2007]] re-discovering the forgotten statue of Lenin left there by the Soviets some 48 years ago. The explorers were picked at the spot by a plane that took them to Vostok base from where they flight back home.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6281839.stm "UK team makes polar trek history"], BBC news story, retrieved June 2007</ref> |
On [[December 4]], [[2006]], [http://www.teamn2i.com Team N2i] consisting of [http://www.henrycookson.com Henry Cookson], Rupert Longsdon, Rory Sweet and Paul Landry embarked on an expedition to reach the location without direct mechanical assistance, using a combination of traditional man hauling and kite skiing. The team reached the old Soviet station on [[20 January]] [[2007]] re-discovering the forgotten statue of Lenin left there by the Soviets some 48 years ago. The explorers were picked at the spot by a plane that took them to Vostok base from where they flight back home.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6281839.stm "UK team makes polar trek history"], BBC news story, retrieved June 2007</ref> |
||
Revision as of 16:16, 7 January 2009
A pole of inaccessibility marks a location that is the most challenging to reach owing to its remoteness from geographical features which could provide access. The term describes a geographic construct, not an actual physical phenomenon, and is of interest mostly to explorers.
Northern pole of inaccessibility
The northern pole of inaccessibility (84°03′N 174°51′W / 84.050°N 174.850°W) is located on the Arctic Ocean pack ice at a distance farthest from any land mass. It is 661 km (411 statute miles) from the North Pole, 1,453 km (903 mi) north of Barrow, Alaska, and equidistant from the closest landmasses, Ellesmere Island and Franz-Josef Land, 1,094 km (680 mi) away. It was first reached by Sir Hubert Wilkins, who flew by aircraft in 1927; in 1958 a Russian icebreaker reached this point. Owing to the constant motion of the pack ice, no permanent structure can exist at the pole.
Southern pole of inaccessibility
The southern pole of inaccessibility is the point on the Antarctic continent most distant from the Southern Ocean. A variety of different coordinate locations have been given for this pole. The discrepancies are due to the question of whether the "coast" is measured to the grounding line or to the edges of ice shelves, the difficulty of determining the location of the "solid" coastline, the movement of ice sheets and improvements in the accuracy of survey data over the years, as well as possible typographical errors. The Pole of Inaccessibility is commonly referred to the site of the Soviet Union research station mentioned below, which lies at 82°06′S 54°58′E / 82.100°S 54.967°E[1] (though some sources give 83°06′S 54°58′E / 83.100°S 54.967°E[2]). This lies 878 km (545 statute miles) from the South Pole, at an elevation of 3,718 m (12,198 ft). Using different criteria, the Scott Polar Research Institute locates the Pole at 85°50′S 65°47′E / 85.833°S 65.783°E,[3].
According to ThePoles.com, the point farthest from the sea accounting only for the Antarctic land surface proper is at 82°53′14″S 55°4′30″E / 82.88722°S 55.07500°E, and the farthest point when ice sheets are taken into account is 83°50′37″S 65°43′30″E / 83.84361°S 65.72500°E. These points, calculated by the British Antarctic Survey, are quoted as being "the most accurate measure available" (as of 2005).[4]
The southern pole of inaccessibility is far more remote and difficult to reach than the Geographic South Pole. On 14 December 1958, the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition for International Geophysical Year research work, led by Yevgeny Tolstikov, established the temporary Pole of Inaccessibility Station (Polyus Nedostupnosti) at 82°06′S 54°58′E / 82.100°S 54.967°E. A second Russian team returned there in 1967. Today a building still remains at this location, marked by a bust of Vladimir Lenin that faces towards Moscow, and it is protected as a historical site. Inside the building there is a golden visitors' book for those who make it to the site to sign. However, as of 2007, only the bust on top of the building is visible – the rest is buried under the snow.[5]
On December 11 2005, at 7:57 UTC Ramón Larramendi, Juan Manuel Viu and Ignacio Oficialdegui members of the Spanish Transantarctic Expedition reached for the first time in history the South Pole of Inaccessibility at 82°53′14″S 55°04′30″E / 82.88722°S 55.07500°E updated that year by the British Antarctic Survey. The team continued their journey towards the second South Pole of Inaccessibility, the one that accounts the continental land as well as the ice-shelves which was also reached for the first time by this expedition on December 14 2005, at 83°50′37″S 65°43′30″E / 83.84361°S 65.72500°E Both achivements took place within an ambitious pioneer crossing of the eastern Antartict Plateau that started in Novolazerevskaya base and ended in Progress base after more than 4.500km becoming the fastest unsupported and without mechanical help polar journey ever with an average of around 90km/day and maximum 311km/day using uniquely kites as power source.[4][6][7][4]
On December 4, 2006, Team N2i consisting of Henry Cookson, Rupert Longsdon, Rory Sweet and Paul Landry embarked on an expedition to reach the location without direct mechanical assistance, using a combination of traditional man hauling and kite skiing. The team reached the old Soviet station on 20 January 2007 re-discovering the forgotten statue of Lenin left there by the Soviets some 48 years ago. The explorers were picked at the spot by a plane that took them to Vostok base from where they flight back home.[8]
Oceanic pole of inaccessibility
The oceanic pole of inaccessibility (48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W / 48.8767°S 123.3933°W), also called Point Nemo, is the place in the ocean that is farthest from land. It lies in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,688 km (1,670 mi or 1,451 NM) from the nearest lands: Ducie Island (part of the Pitcairn Islands) in the north, Motu Nui (part of the Easter Islands) in the north-east, and Maher Island (near the larger Siple Island, off the coast of Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica) in the south. Chatham Island lies farther west, and Southern Chile in the east.
Continental pole of inaccessibility
Eurasia
The Continental Pole of Inaccessibility (46°17′N 86°40′E / 46.283°N 86.667°E) is the place on land that is farthest from the ocean. It lies in Eurasia, in northern China and is 2,645 km (1,645 mi) from the nearest coastline. It is located approximately 320 km (200 mi) north of the city of Ürümqi, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, in the Dzoosotoyn Elisen Desert. The nearest settlements are Hoxtolgay at 46°34′N 85°58′E / 46.567°N 85.967°E, about 30 miles to the north west, Xazgat at 46°20′N 86°22′E / 46.333°N 86.367°E about 13 miles to the west, and Suluk at 46°15′N 86°50′E / 46.250°N 86.833°E about 7 miles to the east.[9]
However, the previous pole location unwarrantedly disregards the Gulf of Ob as part of the oceans, and a recent study[10] proposes two other locations as the ones farther from any ocean (within the uncertainty of coastline definition): EPIA1 44°17′N 82°11′E / 44.29°N 82.19°E and EPIA2 45°17′N 88°08′E / 45.28°N 88.14°E, located respectively at 2510±10 km and 2514±7 km from the oceans. [10]
Coincidentally, the continental and oceanic poles of inaccessibility have a similar radius; the Eurasian poles EPIA1 and EPIA2 are ~178 km closer to the ocean than the oceanic pole is to land.
North America
In North America, the continental pole of inaccessibility is in southwest South Dakota (43°26′N 102°23′W / 43.433°N 102.383°W) [citation needed], located 1650 km (1024 mi) from the nearest coastline. An alternative documented[10] location is 43°22′N 101°58′W / 43.36°N 101.97°W.
South America
In South America, the continental pole of inaccessibility is in 14°03′S 56°51′W / 14.05°S 56.85°W[10]
Australia
In Australia, the continental pole of inaccessibility is located at 23°2′S 132°10′E / 23.033°S 132.167°E,[11] 920 km (572 mi) from the nearest coastline. The nearest town is Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory, about 56 km to the south-west. An alternative published[10] location is 23°10′S 132°16′E / 23.17°S 132.27°E.
Africa
In Africa (5°39′N 26°10′E / 5.65°N 26.17°E), the PIA is 1814 km from the coast,[10] in a place close to where the borders of Central African Republic, Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo meet, also close to the town of Obo.
References
- ^ Catalogue of Russian Antarctic Meteorological data 1994, World Meteorological Organization, retrieved June 2007
- ^ Historic Sites & Monuments in Antarctica, International Polar Heritage Committee
- ^ Polar Information Sheets, Scott Polar Research Institute, retrieved June 2007
- ^ a b c "Spaniards reach the 'second' South Pole of Inaccessibility - still no trace of Lenin", ThePoles.com, December 15 2005, retrieved June 2007 Cite error: The named reference "thepoles.com" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ team n2i website uploaded jan 2007
- ^ http://www.barrabes.com/revista/articulo_ant.asp?idArticulo=4549
- ^ http://www.tierraspolares.es/catamaran/inaccesibilidad_i.htm
- ^ "UK team makes polar trek history", BBC news story, retrieved June 2007
- ^ [1] Map of the region around the Continental Pole of Inaccessibility, showing relative locations of Hoxtolgay, Xazgat and Suluk, from MSN Maps.
- ^ a b c d e f Garcia-Castellanos, D. (2007). "Poles of Inaccessibility: A Calculation Algorithm for the Remotest Places on Earth". Scottish Geographical Journal. 123 (3): 227–233. doi:10.1080/14702540801897809.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "PIA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Centre of Australia, States and Territories, Geoscience Australia