Ōtautahi, Christchurch. The Gateway to the Antarctic
Ōtautahi Christchurch has a long history of involvement with Antarctica - from its contribution during the heroic age of exploration to its role today as one of only five international gateways to the icy continent.
EPL has worked alongside the Antarctic Heritage Trust solving issues with windows, door and other sealing situations, where a knowledge of the materials best suited for the extreme polar conditions is essential, keeping the heritage requirements front and centre.
Click here to learn more about the Antarctic Heritage Trust
Sir Ernest Shackleton's Hut
This historic hut was the base for Sir Ernest Shackleton's Expedition to be the first to the South Pole that occurred between 1907 -1909. Sir Ernest Shackleton came within 97 nautical miles of the South Pole.
EPL are proud to have been involved in the restoration of this important piece of history.
Harsh and Extreme Conditions.
Antarctica is a continent known for its harsh and extreme conditions, making it one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Here are some of the extreme conditions that characterise Antarctica:
- Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. The lowest temperature ever recorded on the continent was at the Soviet Union's Vostok Station, where it reached a bone-chilling -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit (-89.2 degrees Celsius) in 1983.
- Strong katabatic winds, caused by the pull of cold, dense air down from the polar plateau, can create incredibly high wind speeds. Wind gusts exceeding 200 miles per hour (320 kilometers per hour) have been reported.
- Despite its icy reputation, Antarctica is technically classified as a desert because of its extremely low precipitation levels. The interior receives only about 2 inches (50 millimeters) of snowfall per year.
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