This photo was taken in August, 2000, from a Twin Otter circling overhead while on approach to Summit Station. You can see how the buildings are spread apart to minimize drifting, which is a major problem on the ice cap. Most of the station activity revolves aroung the Big House and the Green House. Scientific research is conducted at the Swiss Tower and Science Trench, which border the clean air zone. Click on the different image features to learn more about each structure.

The arrangement of the camp buildings has changed since this photograph was taking and the buildings have been raised back to grade following years of "sinking" from the sixty inches of annual snow fall. "Napa" has been replaced by "Home Depot," and the living quarters now abuts the "Big House." Otherwise the essential design has not changed.

Contact VPR for a current survey of the station. Here is the latest drawing, Summit Layout , as of January 29, 2007.