纪录片《冰冻星球》 第63期 最后的边疆（11）（在线收听）

Their target lay beyond the mountains,

他们的目的地位于山脉另一侧

over 3,000 metres above sea level, on the Antarctic Plateau.

坐落在海拔3000多米的南极冰原上

An unbroken sheet of ice, larger than Western Europe,

这是一片面积超过西欧的完整冰盖

this is the coldest, the windiest,

是地球上最寒冷 风力最大

the most lifeless place on Earth.

生命最难以存活的地域

Roald Amundsen's team narrowly defeated Scott's to become

罗尔德·阿蒙森的探险队小胜斯科特

the first people to reach the South Pole

1911年12月14日 他们代表人类

on the 14th of December 1911.

首次抵达南极点

Nobody else successfully completed the journey

此后近50年间 终未有人

for nearly 50 years after that.

再次成功完成这一壮举

But, since 1957,

不过 自1957年起

there has been a permanent base at the South Pole.

南极点便设立了一个永久性基地

You can even land a plane on the ice runway.

甚至可以在这里冰质跑道起降飞机

The early explorers would be

早期的探险家定会为

astounded by the facilities at the South Pole today.

南极如今的设施大为惊叹

Construction work isn't easy when the average summer temperature

在夏季平均气温仅为零下25度的环境中

is minus 25 degrees Centigrade.

施工并非易事

But, despite the difficulties,

然而 尽管存在诸多困难

the most high-tech scientific research station

史上最为先进的科学研究站

ever built was unveiled here in 2006.

还是于2006年在此顺利竣工

The brand new Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is designed to

全新的阿蒙森·斯科特南极站旨在

cope with the world's most extreme conditions.

应对全球最为严苛的气候条件

The building's sloping edge deflects the prevailing wind.

建筑外的斜边可以引导盛行风转向

Beneath, there are stilts

下方设有桩柱

that can raise the whole building a further eight metres

建筑整体被抬高八米

to keep it above the accumulating snow.

使得底部可以远离积雪