Polar Fields

The magnetic field generated on the ground by the station was estimated to demonstrate a peak strength of 2800nT that occured within 100 metres from the station on the ground. The field extended up to 650 metres from the station with a minimum strength of 1nT. At a higher distance from the ground, about 100 metres above, the electromagnetic field dropped to below 100nT.

This magnetic field could be attributed to the station itself and the oil tanks that supply the station. Its strength is about 4% of the geomagnetic field that exists in this area naturally, and is comparable to the fields produced by highly magnetised rocks.

Nevertheless, magnetic fields of this strength will still lead to some changes in living organisms, particularly certain biochemical reactions, such as those in the liver.

Although current research shows that serious health effects do not occur at the strength of magnetic field measured in this study, it could be that relatively weak magnetic fields have more serious effects at longer time exposures, which are likely to occur around a research station.

Antarctic research stations could be damaging the environment - Click Green