Wilkes Station

Wilkes Station
Wilkes Station in 1988
Wilkes Station
Location of Wikes Station in Antarctica
Coordinates: 66°15′25″S 110°31′37″E / 66.256951°S 110.526862°E / -66.256951; 110.526862
Country United States
 Australia
Location in AntarcticaWilkes Land
Antarctica
Administered byUnited States Navy
Australian Antarctic Division
Established29 January 1957 (1957-01-29) 7 February 1959 (1959-02-07) to Australia
Evacuated1969 (1969)
Named afterCharles Wilkes
Population
 • Total
  • Up to 24
TypeAll-year round
PeriodAnnual
StatusAbandoned
WebsiteWilkes Station AAD

Wilkes Station is a former Australian Antarctic research station. It was established in January 1957 by the United States in Antarctica. It was taken over by the Australian Antarctic Division on 7 February 1959. Environmental difficulties at this site lead to it being abandoned in 1969, with the Australians establishing a new base, Casey Station. The old base is still awaiting remediation, with contamination left at the site threatening to affect the environment.