I whimsically googled russkaya mystery and found this beautiful image of that station I've never seen quite like this before.
source
Soviet Union and the Antarctic
SOVIET UNION HISTORY IN ANTARCTICA
The site link above details many fascinating aspects of the Soviet Union in Antarctica. As much as I've looked into Antarctica on this blog to this point, that Soviet history site presents even more startling photos and new information gathered in one convenient location.
RUSSKAYA LOOKS PEACEFUL rather than TRECHEROUS
The general impression I've had of Russkaya to this point was that it was really hard to maintain and very trecherous. The photo above contradicts that impression. This is worth looking into further in that regard, as well as the aspect of Russkaya that has it placed in the relatively unpopulated Marie Byrdland where, inland, most of the tranmitter stations are. Russkaya also features a possible bio hazard from cold bacteria according to the comment by felix in the post linked above. I'll look into these aspects further in coming days.
I noticed that the USA is one of the few non-members of the ISA, the International Seabed Authority
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Seabed_Authority
The USA did not ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Treaty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_non-ratification_of_the_UNCLOS
Because nobody has claimed Marie Byrd Land, it is argued that the ISA would govern the sea right upto the low water mark of the unclaimed sector. Non claimed areas are unclaimable as long as the Antarctic Treaty is in force.
I was wondering why the US never put in a claim, along with the Soviet Union [who were the best of buddied during IGY, International Geophysical Year in 1957/8 - Germany Sweden and Poland didn't partcipate]
the answer is here
http://www.state.gov/t/avc/trty/193967.htm
The United States did not recognize the claims of other governments and reserved the right to assert claims. The Soviet Union took a similar position.
Why have all the inspections come to a halt?
http://www.state.gov/e/oes/ocns/opa/inspection/index.htm
The last U.S. inspection, conducted jointly with the Russian Federation and co-led by the Department of State, was undertaken from January 23-28, 2012
excellent points-- thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI noted the inspection halt too.
I recall the US did claim Marie Byrd land... I'll find that reference in coming days.
The "inspection ship" HMS Protector....just returned from the Antarctic to the United Kingdom...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/january/13/140113-first-antarctic-fisheries-inspection
In addition the ship has a team of Royal Navy divers who are carrying out regular dives on behalf of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to survey the fauna in the area.
all within the Treaty, of course, using the military for "scientific purposes".
The tempo of inspections has been high with 13 stations belonging to eight different nations, as well as seven cruise ships and four yachts inspected in around three weeks.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/january/22/150122-busy-antarctic-summer-for-hms-protector
The "Antarctic Patrol" puzzles me somewhat
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/operations/south-atlantic/antarctic-patrol
Why we are there
Providing a reassuring presence in the UK's largest overseas territory - the British Antarctic territory
Providing security at sea
The UK has a responsibility to its citizens and its allies to endeavour to safeguard the high seas. This is why the Royal Navy protects home and international waters – making sure the global trade that Britain and the world depend on can proceed without a hitch.
Ressuring to whom? Where is the global trade passing through pr around Antarctica?