{{Short description|Ice dome in Antarctica}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Dome A | other_name = Dome Argus | image = | elevation_m = 4087 | elevation_ref =<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=World Ribus – East Antarctica Ranges |url=https://worldribus.org/east-antarctica-ranges/|access-date=2024-12-26 |website=World Ribus}}</ref> | prominence_m = 1338 | prominence_ref = <ref name="auto"/> | listing = Ribu | map = Antarctica | map_caption = | map_size = 310px | label = | label_position = | coordinates = {{coord|80|22|S|77|21|E|type:mountain_region:AQ_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = | location = Antarctica | range_coordinates = | range = | type = | age = | first_ascent = | easiest_route = }} '''Dome A''' or '''Dome Argus''' is the highest ice dome on the Antarctic Plateau, located {{convert|1200|km|abbr=on}} inland. It is thought to be the coldest naturally occurring place on Earth, with temperatures believed to reach {{convert|-90|to|-98|C|F}}.<ref name="T. A. Scambos G. G. Campbell A. Pope T. Haran A. Muto M. Lazzara C. H. Reijmer M. R. van den Broeke">{{cite journal |title=Ultralow Surface Temperatures in East Antarctica From Satellite Thermal Infrared Mapping: The Coldest Places on Earth |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |volume=45 |issue=12 |pages=6124–6133 |doi=10.1029/2018GL078133 |year=2018 |last1=Scambos |first1=T. A. |last2=Campbell |first2=G. G. |last3=Pope |first3=A. |last4=Haran |first4=T. |last5=Muto |first5=A. |last6=Lazzara |first6=M. |last7=Reijmer |first7=C. H. |last8=Van Den Broeke |first8=M. R. |bibcode=2018GeoRL..45.6124S |hdl=1874/367883 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free }}</ref> It is the highest ice feature in Antarctica, consisting of an ice dome or eminence {{convert|4,087|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. It is located near the center of East Antarctica, approximately midway between the enormous head of Lambert Glacier and the geographic South Pole, within the Australian claim.
==Description== Dome Argus is located on the massive East Antarctic Ice Sheet and is the highest ice feature of Antarctica.<ref>{{cite gnis|type=antarid|id=577|name=Dome A|access-date=2013-03-11}}</ref> Dome A is a lofty ice prominence, the highest rooftop of the Antarctic Plateau, and the elevation visually is not noticeable. Below this enormous dome, underneath at least {{convert|2400|m|abbr=on}} of ice sheet, lies the Gamburtsev Mountain Range, about the size of the European Alps.
The name "Dome Argus" was given by the Scott Polar Research Institute from Greek mythology. Argus built the ship ''Argo'', in which Jason and the Argonauts traveled to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names, U.S. Board on Geographic Names |title=Decisions of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names |url=https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-antarctica/public/gaz-record/2814467 |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=U.S. Geological Survey}}</ref>
This site is one of the driest locations on Earth and receives {{convert|1|to|3|cm|1|abbr=on}} of snow per year.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cui |first1=XiangBin |last2=Sun |first2=Bo |last3=Tian |first3=Gang |last4=Tang |first4=XueYuan |last5=Zhang |first5=XiangPei |last6=Jiang |first6=YunYun |last7=Guo |first7=JingXue |last8=Li |first8=Xin |date=2010 |title=Ice radar investigation at Dome A, East Antarctica: Ice thickness and subglacial topography |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11434-009-0546-z |journal=Chinese Science Bulletin |language=en |volume=55 |issue=4–5 |pages=425–431 |doi=10.1007/s11434-009-0546-z |bibcode=2010ChSBu..55..425C |issn=1001-6538|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Roberts |first1=J. |title=A two thousand year annual record of snow accumulation rates for Law Dome, East Antarctica |date=2014-11-28 |url=https://cp.copernicus.org/articles/11/697/2015/cp-11-697-2015-discussion.html |access-date=2025-08-28 |publisher=Copernicus GmbH |doi=10.5194/cpd-10-4469-2014 |last2=Plummer |first2=C. |last3=Vance |first3=T. |last4=Van Ommen |first4=T. |last5=Moy |first5=A. |last6=Poynter |first6=S. |last7=Treverrow |first7=A. |last8=Curran |first8=M. |last9=George |first9=S. |doi-access=free }}</ref> Due to this, as well as calm weather, this site is an excellent location to obtain ice core samples for the research of past climates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ren |first1=JiaWen |last2=Xiao |first2=CunDe |last3=Hou |first3=ShuGui |last4=Li |first4=YuanSheng |last5=Sun |first5=Bo |date=2009 |title=New focuses of polar ice-core study: NEEM and Dome A |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11434-009-0012-y |journal=Science Bulletin |language=en |volume=54 |issue=6 |pages=1009–1011 |doi=10.1007/s11434-009-0012-y |bibcode=2009SciBu..54.1009R |issn=2095-9273|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Temperatures at Dome A fall below {{convert|−80|C}} almost every winter.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
==Exploration== Details of the morphology of this feature were determined by the SPRI-NSF-TUD airborne radio echo sounding program between the years 1967 and 1979.
In January 2005 a team from the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expeditions (CHINARE) traversed {{convert|1228|km|abbr=on}} from Zhongshan Station to Dome A and located the highest point of the ice sheet ({{convert|4093|m|abbr=on}} above sea level) by GPS survey at {{coord|80|22|S|77|21|E}} on January 18. This point is near one end of an elongated ridge (about {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} wide), which is a major ice divide and has an elevation difference along its length of only a few meters. An automatic weather station (AWS) was deployed at Dome A, and a second station was installed approximately halfway between the summit and the coast at a site called Eagle ({{coord|76|25|S|77|01|E}}, 2830 m above sea level).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ding |first1=Minghu |last2=Zou |first2=Xiaowei |last3=Sun |first3=Qizhen |last4=Yang |first4=Diyi |last5=Zhang |first5=Wenqian |last6=Bian |first6=Lingen |last7=Lu |first7=Changgui |last8=Allison |first8=Ian |last9=Heil |first9=Petra |last10=Xiao |first10=Cunde |date=2022-11-15 |title=The PANDA automatic weather station network between the coast and Dome A, East Antarctica |url=https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/14/5019/2022/ |journal=Earth System Science Data |language=en |volume=14 |issue=11 |pages=5019–5035 |doi=10.5194/essd-14-5019-2022 |bibcode=2022ESSD...14.5019D |doi-access=free |issn=1866-3516}}</ref> These AWS are operated as part of an ongoing collaboration between China and Australia and include a third AWS (LGB69) at {{coord|70|50|S|77|04|E}}, {{convert|1854|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, which has operated since January 2002.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=BIAN Lingen, Ian Allison, XIAO Cunde, MA Yongfeng, FU Liang & DING Minghu |date=2016 |title=Climate and meteorological processes of the East Antarctic ice sheet between Zhongshan and Dome-A |url=https://library.arcticportal.org/2598/1/A17021400003.pdf |journal=Advances in Polar Science |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=90–101 |doi=10.13679/j.advps.2016.2.00090}}</ref> The station at Dome A is powered by solar cells and diesel fuel and requires yearly service and refuelling.
==Extreme temperatures== The coldest air temperature recorded by thermometer at Dome A since January 2005 was {{convert|-82.5|C}} in July 2005. This may have been beaten by an unconfirmed reading of {{convert|-82.7|C}} in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author=G. Ballester Valor|url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?lang=en&ind=89577&ano=2019&mes=6&day=31&hora=7&min=0&ndays=31 |title=''Dome A Synop Report Summary'' |publisher=Ogimet.com |date=30 June 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019}}</ref> The lowest surface temperature ever measured on the surface of the Earth ({{convert|−93.2|C}}) was recorded by satellite on August 10, 2010, between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji.<ref name="nasa">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-usgs-landsat-8-satellite-pinpoints-coldest-spots-on-earth/index.html|title=NASA-USGS Landsat 8 Satellite Pinpoints Coldest Spots on Earth|access-date=2013-12-11|archive-date=2014-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315074936/http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-usgs-landsat-8-satellite-pinpoints-coldest-spots-on-earth/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Analysis of satellite data and atmospheric models shows that Ridge A, which is located {{convert|144|km|abbr=on}} southeast of Dome A, is potentially an even better location to look for the lowest temperatures on Earth.<ref name="Saunders et al. 2009">{{Cite journal|last1=Saunders |first1=Will |last2=Lawrence |first2=Jon S. |last3=Storey |first3=John W. V. |last4=Ashley |first4=Michael C. B. |last5=Kato |first5=Seiji |last6=Minnis |first6=Patrick |last7=Winker |first7=David M. |last8=Liu |first8=Guiping |last9=Kulesa |first9=Craig |name-list-style=amp |year=2009 |title=Where Is the Best Site on Earth? Domes A, B, C, and F, and Ridges A and B |journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific |volume=121 |issue=883 |pages=976–992 |doi=10.1086/605780 |bibcode=2009PASP..121..976S|arxiv = 0905.4156 |s2cid=11166739}}</ref>
==Observatory== The Polar Research Institute of China deployed a robotic observatory called PLATO (PLATeau Observatory) on the dome in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.nl.html?pid=24685 |date=2008-02-03 |title=International team establishes unique observatory in Antarctica |publisher=spaceref.com |access-date=2008-02-05}}</ref> PLATO was designed and built by the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia to provide a platform from which astronomical observations and site-testing could be conducted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~plato/ |date=2009-12-22 |title=PLATO – Dome A robotic observatory |publisher=UNSW |access-date=2009-12-22 |archive-date=2009-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916121159/http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~plato/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Various institutions from Australia, US, China and the UK provided instruments that were deployed with PLATO, these instruments included CSTAR, Gattini, PreHEAT, Snodar, Nigel and the PLATO web cameras.
The Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences [http://www.irsa.ac.cn] established a wireless network technology based observation system called Dome A-WSN on the dome in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2008/01-24/1144158.shtml |title=中国科考队在南极Dome-A成功安装无线传感器网络 |access-date=30 November 2008 |date=2008-06-30 }}</ref>
The Kunlun Station, China's third station in Antarctica, was set up at the dome on January 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-01/28/content_7430570.htm |title=China sets up 3rd Antarctic research station |access-date=28 January 2009 |date=2009-01-28 }}</ref> Thus far the Antarctic Kunlun Station is suitable as a summer station, but there are plans to develop it further and build an airfield nearby to ease servicing, as it is not reachable by helicopters.<ref name=wo>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/An/Antarctica/Antarctica/DomeA.htm|title=Dome A – coldest place on Earth|date=28 September 2010|publisher=Wondermondo}}</ref>
==See also== *Pole of Cold *Pole of Inaccessibility *Ridge A *Dome C (also known as ''Dome Circe'', ''Dome Charlie'' or ''Dome Concordia'') *Dome F (also known as ''Dome Fuji'' or ''Valkyrie Dome'') *East Antarctica Ranges *List of ultras of Antarctica
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== *Li Yuansheng, Polar Research Institute of China (2005). [http://www.lamost.org/en/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=3&lid=3 Introduction to Chinese Dome A Inland Traverse]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.<!-- Conference on Wide Field Survey Telescope at DOME C/A, June 3–5, 2005, Beijing'' -->
==External links== *[https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/stations/other-locations/dome-a/ AAD website] *[http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-usgs-landsat-8-satellite-pinpoints-coldest-spots-on-earth/index.html NASA-USGS Landsat 8 Satellite Pinpoints Coldest Spots on Earth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315074936/http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-usgs-landsat-8-satellite-pinpoints-coldest-spots-on-earth/index.html |date=2014-03-15 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100324134431/http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~plato/plato.html PLATO – Dome A Robotic Observatory] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140127164259/http://mcba11.phys.unsw.edu.au/~plato/platowebcams.html Live Webcams From Dome A] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101222001358/http://www.polarfoundation.org/projects/project_detail/panda_dome_a_station_25th_chinese_antarctic_expedition/ International Polar Foundation coverage] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100222122635/http://ccaa.pmo.ac.cn/plato/ PLATO – Dome A Robotic Observatory – Chinese Translation] *[https://archive.today/20130119031758/http://www.chinadaily.com/english/doc/2004-10/14/content_382140.html China to Build Third Station in Antarctica] (China Daily, Oct 14 2004) *[http://english.people.com.cn/200501/19/eng20050119_171093.html Photo Gallery] (People's Daily, Jan 19 2005) *[https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=100725&org=NSF&from=news Chinese Engineer Receives Medical Treatment After Falling Ill During Antarctic Traverse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170857/https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=100725&org=NSF&from=news |date=2022-09-20 }} (US National Science Foundation, Jan 19 2005) *[http://english.people.com.cn/200501/21/eng20050121_171433.html Expedition Photographs] (People's Daily, Jan 21 2005) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060623013835/http://www.bjreview.com.cn/05-05-e/Nation-2005-5(D).htm An account of the Dome A expedition] (Beijing Review, May 2005) *[http://www.openstreetmap.org/browse/node/529459463 OpenStreetMap]
{{Portal bar|Earth sciences|Geography}} {{Antarctica}}
Category:East Antarctica Category:Plateaus of Antarctica Category:Outposts of Antarctica Category:Ice caps of Antarctica Category:Mountains of Mac. Robertson Land Category:Australian Antarctic Territory Category:Extreme points of Earth Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Antarctica