Dome A
Upload new photoDome A Photo: 'Dome A (Dome Argus), Antarctica' by Nicholas Russill
photo taken at: 12:15 pm 12 Dec 2025
Dome A (Dome Argus), Antarctica
Antarctica | Dome A
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Dome A — also known as Dome Argus — is the highest point on the Antarctic ice sheet, rising to around 4,093 metres above sea level in the remote interior of East Antarctica. Rather than a mountain peak, it is a vast, gently sloping summit where the ice sheet reaches its maximum thickness and flows outward in all directions. This extreme location is recognised as one of the coldest, driest, and most isolated places on Earth, with winter temperatures plunging below −90 °C. The ice beneath Dome A is thought to preserve some of the oldest climate records on the planet, making it a site of major scientific interest for understanding Earth’s long-term climate history. The exceptionally clear, stable atmosphere also makes the region valuable for astronomical research. Human activity at Dome A is minimal, limited to short scientific campaigns supported by long over-ice traverses from the Antarctic coast. Credit: Australian Antarctic Program