Mawson Station

This article is about the Mawson Antarctic base. For other uses, see Mawson (disambiguation).

Mawson Station
Antarctic station
Mawson Station looking toward the David Range
Mawson Station looking toward the David Range
Location of Mawson Station in Antarctica
Location of Mawson Station in Antarctica
Mawson Station
Location of Mawson Station in Antarctica
Coordinates: 67°36′10″S 62°52′25″E / 67.602746°S 62.873726°E / -67.602746; 62.873726
Country Australia
Location in AntarcticaAustralian Antarctic Territory
SubdivisionHolme Bay
Mac Robertson Land
East Antarctica
Administered byAustralian Antarctic Division
Established13 February 1954 (1954-02-13)
Named forSir Douglas Mawson
Elevation
[1]
15 m (49 ft)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Summer
53
 • Winter
15
Time zoneUTC+5 (MAWT)
UN/LOCODEAQ MAW
TypeAll-year round
PeriodAnnual
StatusOperational
Activities
List
  • Cosmic ray detection
  • Geomagnetism
  • Biology
Facilities[2]
List
  • Accommodation with private bedrooms and shared bathrooms
  • Large dining room (or mess)
  • Several communal sitting areas
  • A range of amenities including medical and laundry facilities
  • A theatrette
  • Library
  • Small spa and sauna
  • Climbing wall
  • Green Store
Websiteaad.gov.au

Mawson Station, commonly called Mawson, is one of three permanent bases and research outposts in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Mawson lies in Holme Bay in Mac. Robertson Land, East Antarctica in the Australian Antarctic Territory, a territory claimed by Australia. Established in 1954, Mawson is Australia's oldest Antarctic station and the oldest continuously inhabited Antarctic station south of the Antarctic Circle.[3] It houses approximately 20 personnel over winter and up to 53 in summer.[1]

Mawson was named in honour of the Australian Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson.[3][4]

Mawson was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 2001 and listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004, reflecting the post-World War Two revival of Australia's scientific research and territorial interests in Antarctica.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Antarctic Station Catalogue (PDF) (catalogue). Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs. August 2017. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-473-40409-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Living at Davis". Australian Antarctic Division. Department of the Environment, Australian Government. 6 November 2002. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Mawson station: a brief history". History of Australian Antarctic stations. Australian Antarctic Division. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  4. ^ Australian Philatelic Bulletin, Vol. 16, p. 28
  5. ^ "Mawson Station, Mawson Station, EXT, Australia (Place ID 105444)". Australian Heritage Database. Australian Government. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 8 July 2016.