Which Research station of India is located in Larsemann Hills of Antarctica?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

India's third permanent research station in Antarctica, Bharti, is indeed located in the Larsemann Hills. This station became operational on March 18, 2012, and was established to facilitate oceanographic research and to collect data related to the geological history of the Indian subcontinent, specifically focusing on continental breakup events dating back 120 million years. Bharti is a state-of-the-art facility designed for year-round operations, allowing Indian scientists to conduct diverse research in glaciology, atmospheric sciences, and polar biology in a challenging environment. It represents a significant advancement in India's polar research capabilities, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem and its global implications.

The incorrect option is 1:

Himani is not a research station located in Antarctica. Instead, Himani is India's first permanent Arctic research station. It is situated at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway, within the International Arctic Research base, Ny-Ålesund. Himani was inaugurated on July 1, 2008, and focuses on research in the Arctic region, which is geographically distinct from Antarctica. Its objectives include studying Arctic climate change, glaciology, and atmospheric processes, making it irrelevant to the question concerning Antarctica.

The incorrect option is 3:

Maitri is India's second permanent research station in Antarctica, but it is not located in the Larsemann Hills. Maitri was established in 1989 on the Schirmacher Oasis. This station has been crucial for conducting experiments in various fields such as geology, geography, and medicine. While Maitri is an active and significant Indian research facility in Antarctica, its geographical location differs from the Larsemann Hills, which is the specific location mentioned in the question.

The incorrect option is 4:

Dakshin Gangotri was India's first permanent research facility in Antarctica, established in 1983. However, it is no longer operational as a primary research station and is now primarily used as a supply base. Its location is also not in the Larsemann Hills. Due to heavy snowfall, it was eventually buried under ice and converted into a supply and transit camp, making way for the establishment of Maitri and later Bharti as the active research stations.