finally take over and succeed with the mission. Matienzo stayed closed through the 1972–1973 campaign, and was reopened on 8 September 1974; it was closed again for the 1984–1985 campaign and reopened once again, although it has been a summer-only base ever since. Description Matienzo is composed of 6 buildings and includes facilities such as: main and emergency houses, airstrip, helipad, fuel platform, central power station with two Antarctic gas oil generators, waste treatment plant, laboratory, freezing chamber, a warehouse and several deposits. The long airstrip is located over a nearby glacier away, and is usable by all kind of ski-mounting aircraft. The snow-covered helipad is south from the base; several Bell 212 helicopters are used for deployment and supply of scientific personnel. Matienzo also has a basic infirmary attended by a paramedic. Periodically a Twin Otter aircraft deals with the transfer of personnel and cargo, as well as waste evacuation. The base actively manages preservation and restoration of the surrounding environment; garbage and waste is removed, concentrated, classified, packaged and compacted for later disposal in the Argentine mainland. Scientific activity Scientists at Matienzo carry out meteorological, ionospheric, oceanographic and nivological observations; they perform aerial photographic surveys and studies on geology and geophysics involving high precision gravity and magnetism measurements. Scientific and technical staff of the Argentine Antarctic Institute uses part of its facilities for winter–spring activities. The base is the launching point for expeditions to the Larsen Ice Shelf and Jason Peninsula. Staff of the National Meteorological Service commissioned at Matienzo keeps track of the masses of ice, solar radiation and atmospheric parameters. Retreat and collapse of the Larsen Ice Shelf is constantly monitored by analyzing satellite imagery, GPS positioning and terrain data to investigate the ice-climate interactions in critical areas under climate change conditions. Climate The median annual temperature at the base is ; the highest temperature ever recorded was on 16 March 1965, and the lowest, on 5 August 1964. See also List of Antarctic research stations List of Antarctic field camps Argentine Antarctica References External links Argentine Air Force bases Matienzo Populated places established in 1961 1961 establishments in Antarctica