Mirny Station

Damaged by a fire on Sunday 21 June 2020.

• Name — Mirny Station • Native Name — Мирный • Type — Antarctic station • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Russia • Subdivision Type1 — Location in Antarctica • Subdivision Name1 — Australian Antarctic Territory • Subdivision Type3 — Administered by • Subdivision Name3 — Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute • Established Title — Operational • Established Date — 1956 02 13 • Extinct Title — Evacuated • Named For — Mirny • Unit Pref — Metric • Elevation M — 35 • Population As Of — 2017 • Population Blank1 Title — Summer • Population Blank1 — 50 • Population Blank2 Title — Winter • Population Blank2 — 25 • Custom Label Sec1 — Type • Custom Data Sec1 — All-year round • Custom Label1 Sec1 — Period • Custom Data1 Sec1 — Annual • Custom Label2 Sec1 — Status • Custom Data2 Sec1 — Operational • Custom Label Sec2 — Activities • Code1 Name — UN/LOCODE • Code1 Info — AQ MIR

The station was opened on February 13, 1956, by the 1st Soviet Antarctic Expedition. It was originally used as main base for the Vostok Station located 1400 km from the coast, this function is now served by Progress Station. In summer, it hosts up to 50 people in 30 buildings, in winter about 40–50 scientists and technicians. The average temperature at the location is -11 C, and on more than 200 days per year the wind is stronger than 15 m/s, with occasional cyclones. Main areas of research are glaciology, seismology, meteorology, observation of polar lights, cosmic radiation, and marine biology.

• Illustration — Mirny base on a 1956 stamp Some 2 km south of the station stands a metal stele with an inscribed plaque. It was erected on a sledge on the land transport route between coastal Mirny and inland Vostok Station. It commemorates Anatoly Shcheglov, a driver-mechanic who died while performing his duties. It has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 8) following a proposal by Russia to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. Other similarly designated historic sites in the vicinity of Mirny are Ivan Khmara's Stone (HSM 7) and the Buromskiy Island Cemetery (HSM 9), both on Buromskiy Island 2.7 km north of the station.

• Illustration — Climate graph of 1956-2012 air average temperatures at Mirny Sta. Mirny Station has an ice cap climate, since all months are below 0 C. Although, it is heavily influenced by the glacial nature of Antarctica's interior, it retains a strong maritime influence, resulting in high annual snowfall. Summers however, are sunny and dry, reflecting a mediterranean precipitation pattern, in spite of its poleward latitude and cold temperatures. Summer sees highs approaching 2 C on average, whereas winters are stable just below -15 C means for several months. Due to its coastal location and the fact that summer temperatures sometimes rise above freezing, limited plant and animal life flourishes during summer (December, January, February).