It’s the worst nightmare for researchers at an isolated Antarctic station: What do you do when someone wigs out and you can neither escape nor evacuate the cause of the problem?
The South African government is “considering options” after an unnamed researcher sent a distress message last month from South Africa’s Sanae IV research base in Antarctica. In the email, the individual pleaded for “immediate action,” fearing for their own safety and that of the rest of the 10-person overwintering team.
The anonymous researcher accused a colleague, whose name is also not public, of physical and sexual assault as well as threats of murder against a third researcher. South African officials have now denied that the sexual assault took place but have confirmed the physical assault and threats.
The SANAE IV base, over 100km from any other people. Photo: ALSA Archive/Adriaan Dreyer
Physically isolated
Like every Antarctic station, the Sanae IV research base stands completely on its own in a sea of white. Completed in 1997, the base is 160km inland from the edge of the Fimbul Ice Shelf. This late in the season, no ship can pick them up. The closest neighbors are in Norway’s Troll research station, 190km further inland.
March marks the end of summer in Antarctica. With each passing day, the sea ice grows, making ocean travel more difficult. Daylight is fast disappearing, and the darkness and cold make an emergency flight risky and difficult.
The 10-person team is not due to be picked up until December when summer returns and a ship makes the 10- to 15-day journey from Cape Town.
S.A. Agulhas II in Antarctic ice. Earlier, the ship dropped off the team and will pick them up again in December. Photo: ALSA Archive/Adriaan Dreyer
Under control
South African officials insist that the situation is under control. Work at the base falls under South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. According to its statement, it learned about the assault on February 27. Since then, a full investigation has been underway, with trained mediators in constant contact with the isolated researchers.
“The person who assaulted the team leader is remorseful and has been psychologically re-evaluated willingly,” says Dion George, South Africa’s environment minister. He explained that a dispute over completing an assigned task led to the assault.
Aggressive and difficult behavior from the accused individual, the original email alleged, had been escalating for months” to a point that is deeply disturbing.” The writer was now “constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”
Before being sent to live out an Antarctic winter, all potential members must undergo psychological evaluation. But officials admitted that it is not uncommon for individuals to have difficulty adjusting to conditions at remote research stations, even when their evaluations were not concerning.
Coping with isolation can be extremely difficult. In 2017, another South African Antarctic station on Marion Island was the scene of a violent outburst. One teammate allegedly attacked another’s laptop after a dispute involving romantic jealousy. And in 1959, one man at a Soviet Antarctic station murdered his opponent with an axe after losing a game of chess. The government subsequently banned the beloved pastime at all its research stations.
