Troll (research station)

Troll research station is a Norwegian Antarctic research station in Queen Maud Land, in the eastern part of Princess Martha Coast, constructed during the Norwegian expedition 1989 - 1990. Located 1270 metres above sea level, 235 km from the coast at coord|72|00|43.5|S|2|31|56|E|. Contrary to other research stations on the continent, Troll is constructed on the snow-free slope of solid rock breaking through the ice sheet at Jutulsessen.

The station was only manned during the Antarctic summer months until facilities for permanent residence were installed February 2005. The capacity is limited to eight people through the winter (average winter population is six) and a significantly larger number during the summer (maximum 40) thanks to the temporary tent camp erected each spring.

On 12 February 2005 the station was officially opened by HM Queen Sonja of Norway for a manned all-year operation, which actually only has been permanent since November 2006.

To facilitate logistics, the Troll airfield was constructed in 2005, on the Antarctic ice sheet, 6.8 km NNW of the station.

Some important areas of research at Troll include:
* meteorological measurements
* radiation measurements for UV etc, and glaeceological, biological and physical field programmes.

The station is managed by the Norwegian Polar Institute.

See also

*Tor (research station)

External links

* [http://npweb.npolar.no/english Norwegian Polar Institute]