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You are in:  Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 156 » ASPA 122

SCAR Bulletin No 156, January 2005

Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 122

Arrival Heights, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island

1. Description of values to be protected

An area at Arrival Heights was originally designated in Recommendation VIII-4 (1975, SSSI No. 2), after a proposal by the United States on the grounds that it was ∞an electromagnetic and natural 'quiet site' offering ideal conditions for the installation of sensitive instruments for recording minute signals associated with upper atmosphere programs." While it is now recognized that the electromagnetically 'quiet' conditions have to some degree been degraded by base operation and radio communication activities adjacent on the Hut Point Peninsula, the nature, magnitude and extent of these transmissions is such that the original values for which the site was designated are still considered worthy of protection. Moreover, the original geographical characteristics of the site, such as its elevated position and thus broad viewing horizon, the volcanic crater morphology, and the close proximity to the full logistic support of nearby McMurdo Station (US) 1.5 km south and Scott Base (NZ) 3 km SE, continue to render the Area valuable for upper atmospheric studies and boundary layer air sampling studies.

In recent years increases in nearby science and support operations have raised the levels of locally generated electromagnetic noise since the site was first designated. It is recognized that the values of the Area as an electromagnetically 'quiet' site are at risk from broad and narrow band electromagnetic interference, particularly from the nearby stations, as identified in SCAR Recommendation XXIII-6 (1994). However, there are scientific, financial and practical constraints associated with any proposed relocation of the Area and the associated facilities. Thus, the current preferred option for management is to minimize both internal and external sources of electromagnetic interference to the maximum extent practicable, and to monitor these levels routinely so that any significant threat to the values of the site can be identified and addressed as appropriate.

The vulnerability of this research to disturbance through chemical and noise pollution, in particular electromagnetic interference, is such that this Area requires continued special protection.

2. Aims and objectives

Management at Arrival Heights aims to:

• avoid degradation of, or substantial risk to, the values of the Area;
• allow scientific research in the Area, in particular research on the atmosphere, while ensuring protection from incompatible uses and uncontrolled equipment installation;
• minimize the possibility of generation of excessive electromagnetic noise interference within the Area through regulating the types, quantity and use of equipment that can be installed and operated;
• encourage the consideration of the values of the Area in the management of surrounding activities and land uses, in particular to monitor the levels, and encourage the minimization of, sources of electromagnetic radiation;
• allow access for maintenance, upgrade and management of communications equipment;
• allow visits for management purposes; and
• allow visits for education or public awareness purposes associated with the scientific studies.

3. Management activities

The following management activities are to be undertaken to protect the values of the Area:

• Signs showing the location and boundaries with clear statements of entry restrictions.
• Signs showing the location of the Area shall be displayed prominently, and a copy of this management plan shall be available in the principal research hut facilities, at McMurdo Station and Scott Base.
• Markers, signs or structures erected within the Area for scientific or management purposes shall be secured and maintained in good condition, and removed when no longer necessary.
• Visits shall be made as necessary to assess whether the Area continues to serve the purposes for which it was designated and to ensure management and maintenance measures are adequate.
• Electromagnetic noise surveys shall be undertaken within the Area bi-annually to detect equipment faults and to monitor levels of interference to identify and mitigate their sources.
• National Antarctic Programs shall consult together to ensure these steps are carried out and to appoint an Activity Coordinator.

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map A: Arrival Heights regional topographic map.
Inset: Ross Island region, showing the location of McMurdo Station (US) and Scott Base (NZ), and the location of the other protected areas on Ross Island.

Map B: Arrival Heights site topographic map.

Not reproduced here.

6. Description of the Area

6(i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features

Arrival Heights is a small range of low hills near the SE end of Hut Point Peninsula, SE Ross Island, 1.5 km north of McMurdo Station and 3 km northwest of Scott Base. Hut Point Peninsula is formed by a line of craters that extends south from the flanks of Mt. Erebus. The basaltic rocks are particularly rich in ultramafic inclusions, including dunite, peroditite, pyroxenite, gabbro and sandstone. The soil consists mostly of volcanic scoria overlying volcanic tuffs from Mt Erebus, with rocky and weathered volcanic magma.

The highest elevation within the Area is Second Crater at 255 m, one of two inactive volcanoes that are a part of the boundaries of the Area. The boundary of the Area extends in a straight line from Trig T510 NW over First Crater to the 150 m contour. The boundary follows this contour north to a point immediately west of Second Crater. The boundary extends east to Second Crater, the lip of which forms the NE corner of the Area. The boundary then extends south in a straight line to Trig T510.

The research facility is at approximately 220 m (700 ft) above sea level, and has excellent views of McMurdo Sound, Mount Erebus and the Royal Society Range. The majority of McMurdo station is hidden from view, enhancing the radio-quiet characteristics of the area.

Arrival Heights is located at a geomagnetic latitude of about 80 degrees, right above the boundary between the auroral zone and the polar cap. It is also close enough to the geographic pole for total darkness to occur at local noon for a significant part of the year. This allows low intensity auroral events to be observed. Its location near the geomagnetic pole also means that Arrival Heights lies inside the polar cap at all times.

The Area is an electromagnetically quiet site offering good conditions for the installation of sensitive instruments to record high-resolution (less than a minute) signals associated with upper atmosphere research programs.

Science programs being conducted at Arrival Heights laboratories examine natural phenomena occurring in the earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere. The broad focus of these science programs is toward improved understanding of the mechanisms that couple solar processes with those of the terrestrial environment.

The instruments that measure local fields, including geomagnetic field sensors and very low frequency receivers, are sensitive to perturbations that propagate from remote generation regions

The VLF antennas are located in the crater of the larger cone, which provides shielding from local radio transmissions and station noise.

6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area

None.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area

Both the New Zealand and United States programs have research and living facilities within the Area. A Satellite Earth Station (SES) is located on First Crater.

6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area

The nearest protected areas to Arrival Heights are on Ross Island: Cape Evans (ASPA 155) 22 km N; Backdoor Bay (ASPA 157) 32 km N; Cape Royds (ASPA 121) 35 km NNW; Tramway Ridge (ASPA 130) 40 km N; Lewis Bay (ASPA 156) 50 km NE; New College Valley (ASPA 116) 65 km N; Cape Crozier (ASPA 124) 70 km NE; NW White Island (ASPA 137) 35 km S.

7. Permit conditions

Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a permit. Conditions for issuing a permit are that:

• it is issued for scientific study of the atmosphere, in particular for studies of electromagnetic radiation, trace gases, air particulates, auroras and geomagnetism or for other scientific purposes consistent with the management plan;
• it is issued for management and maintenance of science support facilities;
• it is issued for educational or public awareness activities associated with the scientific studies being conducted;
• it is issued for health and safety reasons, or for essential management purposes;
• the actions permitted are in accordance with the management plan and will not jeopardize the scientific values of the Area;
• the permit, or a copy, shall be carried;
• a report shall be supplied to the authority named;
• permits should be valid for a stated period.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

Access to the Area is permitted by vehicle and on foot. Landing of aircraft and overflight within the Area is prohibited. Transient overflight or landing may be allowed if specifically authorized by permit.

Entry by vehicle is restricted to those carrying out science, servicing or equipment maintenance, installation of new facilities in accordance with a permit, and those permitted persons accompanying such people at the time of the visit. All other visitors should enter the Area on foot, leaving any vehicles at the 'Glacier Road' intersection.

7(ii) Activities that are or may be conducted in the Area, including restrictions on time or place

Activities that may be conducted within the Area include:

• scientific research;
• management activities;
• use of radios by visitors is allowed but should be minimized.

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures

No structures are to be erected within the Area except as specified in a permit. All scientific equipment installed within the Area outside of research hut facilities must be approved by permit and clearly identified by country, name of the principal investigator and year of installation. All such items should be made of materials that pose minimal risk of environmental contamination of the Area, and structures should be electromagnetically compatible with activities in the Area. The time period for removal of equipment shall be specified in the permit.

No Radio Frequency (RF) transmitting equipment other than low power transceivers for local essential communication may be installed within the Area.

Installation or modification of structures or equipment is subject to assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed installations or modifications on the values of the Area, as required according to national procedures.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Camping within the Area is prohibited. Overnight visitation is permitted in buildings equipped for such purposes.

7(v) Restrictions on materials and organisms that can be brought into the Area

There are no specific restrictions on materials and organisms that can be brought into the Area.

7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna

Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna is prohibited, except in accordance with a permit. Where animal taking or harmful interference is involved, this should be in accordance with the SCAR Code of Conduct for the Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes in Antarctica.

7(vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the permit holder

Material may be collected or removed from the Area only in accordance with a permit and should be limited to the minimum necessary to meet scientific or management needs. Material of human origin may be removed unless the impact of removal is likely to be greater than leaving the material in situ.

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All wastes shall be removed from the Area.

7(ix) Measures that are necessary to ensure that the aims and objectives of the management plan can continue to be met

• Permits may be granted to enter the Area to carry out scientific monitoring and site inspection activities, which may involve the collection of data for analysis or audit, or for protective measures.
• Any specific sites of long-term monitoring shall be appropriately marked.
• Spectral bands of specific science interests that warrant special protection should be identified by parties active within the Area and electromagnetic noise should be outside those frequencies.
• Intentional electromagnetic radiation outside the agreed frequency bands and power levels is prohibited except within agreed frequency bands and power levels or in accordance with a permit.

7(x) Requirements for reports

Parties should ensure that the principal holder for each permit issued submits to the appropriate authority a report describing the activities undertaken.