Coordinates 85°S, 10°E: Deep in East Antarctica

The coordinates 85°S, 10°E place you on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, ~1,795 km (1,115 mi) from the South Pole, in one of Earth's most remote and inhospitable locations.

Precise Location

• Region: Queen Maud Land (Norwegian claim, Antarctic Treaty suspended)
• Elevation: ~3,200 m (10,500 ft) — ice sheet surface
• Distance to South Pole: 555 km (345 mi) — not 2,889 km as sometimes misstated
• Nearest station: Kohnen Station (Germany, summer-only, 7570°S 0007°E) — ~500 km away
• Vostok Station (Russia): 78°27'S, 106°52'E — ~1,100 km distant

Environment

• Temperature: -50°C to -60°C (-58°F to -76°F) winter; -25°C to -35°C (-13°F to -31°F) summer
• Ice thickness: ~3,000 m — bedrock far below sea level
• Accumulation: ~2-3 cm water equivalent/year — hyper-arid
• Wind: Katabatic flows, persistent

Scientific Significance

This region targets deep ice core drilling (EPICA, Beyond EPICA) seeking 1.5-million-year climate records. The high elevation, low accumulation, and stable flow make it ideal for paleoclimate archives.

Access

Zero infrastructure. Access only by specialized traverse (tracked vehicles from coast, 2-3 weeks) or ski-equipped aircraft (Basler BT-67, Twin Otter) from coastal stations (Novolazarevskaya, Troll, Princess Elisabeth). No tourism.

Correction: The original "2,889 km from South Pole" appears to be an error—85°S is 5° from 90°S; 1° latitude ≈ 111 km → ~555 km.