South Pole

The South Pole is the southernmost point of Earth's surface, located where the axis of Earth's rotation intersects the planet's surface in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the southernmost place on Earth, also called the Geographic South Pole. Its latitude is 90 degrees south, while its longitude has no specific meaning, because all lines of longitude converge at that location.

The pole is located on the Antarctic continent, within the vast ice expanse known as the Polar Plateau. The ice there is several kilometres thick, and the underlying bedrock lies below sea level in many places. The ice moves continuously, so markers placed by hand must be replaced annually.

Types of poles

The geographic South Pole is distinct from the magnetic South Pole and the geomagnetic South Pole. The magnetic poles are determined by Earth's magnetic field and therefore shift position yearly. There is also the "pole of inaccessibility," which is the point in Antarctica farthest from any coast.

Climate and daylight

The South Pole is among the coldest places on Earth. Temperatures reach approximately −25 degrees Celsius in summer, and drop much further in winter. Low precipitation and weak winds make it a naturally dry, ice-based environment. The region experiences one long day of continuous daylight and one long night of continuous darkness each year, due to Earth's axial tilt.

History of exploration

The first party to reach the South Pole was led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen in 1911. A British team led by Robert Falcon Scott arrived a few months later; members of Scott's party died on the return journey. These expeditions became significant chapters in the history of polar exploration.

Research station

Near the pole stands a research station operated by the United States, named Amundsen–Scott. There scientists conduct research on astrophysics, atmospheric conditions, and climate patterns. All of Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, which prohibited military use and promoted scientific cooperation.