McMurdo Station
McMurdo Station is a U.S. Antarctic research facility located on the southernmost point of Ross Island, in the territory of Ross Dependency, claimed by New Zealand, off the coast of McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. The location has Lt. Archibald McMurdo's name because he was in charge of the HMS Terror, the first vessel to investigate the area. McMurdo Station is one of the major cities in Antarctica.
On February 16, 1956, as a part of the US Mission "Operation Deep Freeze," McMurdo first opened its doors. Although it was initially intended to be a naval facility, the massive science station, which has a heliport, a harbor, and three airfields, is now operational. One of three year-round United States Antarctic science facilities, the station is the largest settlement in Antarctica and can house up to 1,258 people. McMurdo is the first stop for all personnel and goods heading to or coming from Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The smaller Scott Base in New Zealand is 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) away from McMurdo by car.
McMurdo is a base in the strictest sense of the word, yet with its 100 buildings and two Wells Fargo ATMs, it can be compared to a city.
Location: Ross Island, Ross Dependency; claimed by New Zealand.
