Fossil Bluff

Fossil Bluff lies on the eastern side of Alexander Island about 135 Kms south of the ice front of the King George VI Sound. The hut is on a morraine ridge immediately adjacent the sound and is periodically surrounded by meltwater pools during the summer months. These pools sometimes drain.

The huts was first built following access to the site by air in 1961. A later overland traverse delivered materials to build a more substantial hut structure in 1963. An overwintering team stayed at Fossil Bluff in 1977 and undertook glaciological field work. The facility has been a primary aircraft refuelling site for decades providing access to areas south of Rothera, the BAS primary air hub.

Fossil Bluff is well inland and sees infrequent visit from some birds apart from Skua. There is a range of lichens in the vicinity, but no mosses or vascular plants.

All human activity is in support of scientific research activities and assocaitiated operations work.

This is a logistics hub supporting access to scientific field work areas. Scientific activities are rarely supported on site.

Access is by air from Rothera research station and associated logistics air links.