Crisis in Antarctica Can science missions ever prepare for the effects of cabin fever?

South Africa has a tight regime for scientists wanting to "overwinter" in Antarctica.

- Oliver Holmes

South Africa has a tight regime for scientists wanting to "overwinter" in Antarctica. The 13-month assignment to an isolated research base on the top of a cliff edge is, as the environment ministry drily puts it, "testing". Average annual temperatures are -16C but drop much lower in the winter darkness. All applicants are subjected to psychometric analysis "to ensure they are able to cope with the isolation, and can work and live with others in the confined space of the bases", said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. "Only candidates who do not have any negative outcomes from all the background evaluations will be considered."

But can humans ever fully prepare for long-duration remote scientific experiments? The crisis currently facing the overwintering crew at the Sanae IV station, more than 2,700 miles from Cape Town, suggests not.

Early in their stay, claims of physical assault, sexual harassment and a death threat have been made among the team of nine. Apologies have been made and psychologists from the mainland are now in "constant" contact with the team to guide them through the fallout.