The scientific station belonging to the Chilean Antarctic Institute was inaugurated on February 5, 1995. Its name recalls the professor and lawyer Julio Escudero.
C.ommunications INACH.- On February 5, 1995, the “Professor Julio Escudero” scientific base of the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) was inaugurated in Fildes Bay, King George Island, in memory of the prominent Chilean jurist who drafted the decree that set the limits of the Chilean Territory. Antarctic and, in addition, had a brilliant participation in the drafting of the Antarctic Treaty.
This Sunday, the scientific base celebrated 28 years of contribution to national science, becoming a pivot as a platform for many National Antarctic Programs that enter the White Continent from King George Island.
The director of INACH, Dr. Marcelo Leppe Cartes added that Escudero has become a fundamental support for science, but it is also the seat of many questions of global scope. “Our base has opened up a tremendous range of research on microbiology, molecular biology, geology, paleontology, climate change, etc., for scientists from different latitudes and, of course, a great space for international scientific collaboration and peace Leppe commented.
“The Escudero base is the largest scientific platform in the country. It is internationally recognized as a meeting and departure point into the depths of the Antarctic Peninsula. Today it has molecular, multipurpose, and wet biology laboratories, allowing microbiology, ecology, glaciology, physiology, and oceanography projects, among others. In addition, it has a maritime support capacity, both for vessels and for technical, scientific and security equipment. Each season, approximately 28 projects are supported, more than twice as many as in the beginning”, comments Elías Bartičević, head of the Escudero base.
28 years ago, Escudero had a capacity for eight people, with 95 square meters, with three laboratories that offered support to the thirteen scientific projects that at that time were part of the National Antarctic Science Program. Its initial module was built with funds from the Regional Government of Magallanes. Today, 28 years later, the main Chilean scientific base in Antarctica has 1,643 m2 and a capacity to house 52 people.
In the last twelve years it has received almost 4,500 visitors, including logistics men and women and researchers.
The INACH is a technical body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with full autonomy in everything related to Antarctic matters of a scientific, technological and dissemination nature. INACH complies with the National Antarctic Policy by encouraging the development of excellent research, effectively participating in the Antarctic Treaty System and related forums, strengthening Magallanes as the gateway to the White Continent and carrying out actions to disseminate Antarctic knowledge among citizens. .
