Isolation at Concordia

The Concordia research station in Antarctica is a place of extremes: for nine months no supplies can be delivered, the nearest living beings are 600 km away at the Russian Vostok station, and the Sun does not rise above the horizon for four months in the winter.

A winter stay at Concordia can be very difficult and challenging, both physically and emotionally. The long separation from close relatives and friends can place a significant emotional strain on the crewmembers.

Monotony is a factor to contend with and comes in several forms including sensory, intellectual, recreational and social. Sensory monotony is profound. There are very few colours, sounds or smells in the environment or on the station, and those that do exist hardly change.