Part 4/6:
The Antarctic research experience can quickly become intense as team members are forced to cope with prolonged periods of darkness and extreme weather, often in confined quarters. As Justin Rolat from BBC News explains, when ten individuals become accustomed to the nuances of each other’s habits and personalities, even minor irritations can escalate into major conflicts.
Those who have previously overwintered in the region describe it as a strain that tests patience—not only with the cold and the dark but also with the integrated social dynamics of living continuously in close quarters.