At an Antarctic research station, fire is one of the most serious risks to life and infrastructure. Extreme isolation, dry conditions, limited water resources and critical infrastructure make fire protection a very different engineering challenge. Last week, we followed the water infrastructure at the Amundsen Scott South Pole Station and finished with a dedicated pressurised water tank supplying the station's automatic sprinkler system. That tank is part of a much bigger sto

Last week, we explored how the Amundsen Scott South Pole Station operates without public utilities. One question naturally followed... Where does the water come from? Most of us don't think twice about turning on a tap. At the South Pole, every litre of water has to be created. There are no rivers, lakes or underground aquifers. Instead, engineers melt compacted Antarctic snow deep below the surface to create an underground water reservoir known as a Rodwell. Rather than cont