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(Known as Halley Bay until 15 Aug 1977)
Position: Lat. 75° 35′ S, Long. 26° 34′ W (2001 Halley V)
General location: Brunt Ice Shelf, Caird Coast
Previous locations:
Primarily atmospheric sciences, but also survey, geology and glaciology.
6 Jan 1956 to the present.
Approximately 1.2 metres of snow accumulate each year on the Brunt Ice Shelf and buildings on the surface become covered and eventually crushed by snow, necessitating periodic rebuilding of the station. This part of the ice shelf is also moving westward by approx. 700m per year.
The original station, Halley I, was established by the Royal Society on 6 Jan 1956 for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) 1957/58. It was a traditional hut with a pitched roof. FIDS took over the operation of the station on 14 January 1959. A new main hut and dog kennels were built close to the original IGY buildings in February 1961, by which time the latter were completely covered by snow. Closed early 1968.
Halley research station from the air
Halley II was built January–March 1967. It was designed with a pitched roof reinforced with steel supports. Halley I and Halley II were both occupied during the 1967 winter, Halley II being known as The Village and Grillage Village. Closed 1973.
Halley III was begun in early 1973. It was built of prefabricated huts housed inside corrugated steel conduits. Halley II and Halley III were both occupied in the 1973 winter. Closed February 1984. Site cleaned up in 1991.
Halley IV was established 2 January 1983. It was composed of two-storey huts housed inside conduits made from interlocking plywoodfaced panels. Both Halley III and Halley IV were occupied in the winter of 1983. Closed 19 February 1992. Site cleaned up during the 1992/93 season.
Halley V was begun in January 1989 and was fully operational from 19 February 1992. To avoid destruction by accumulating snow the buildings of Halley V are positioned on platforms which are raised every year so that they remain above the ice surface.
Construction of Halley VI began in 2008.
The Bob-Pi hut was erected in the hinge zone on 6 November 1962. It was used as a depot and staging post for journeys into Coats Land as well as for recreational purposes.
Coats Station was established in Coats Land, at Lat. 77° 54′ S, Long. 24° 08′ W, 200 miles south of Halley Station on 30 November 1964. It was positioned to allow the triangulation of ionospheric measurements to be taken in conjunction with Halley Station and the Argentine General Belgrano Station. It was manned until 18 March 1965 when it was removed.
Operational throughout the year.
© NERC-BAS 2007