The question of temporality in Antarctica raises an intriguing and complex reflection, given the geographical particularity of this region. Indeed, Antarctica is located on all meridians at once due to its position on the South Pole, which raises the question of the very existence of the concept of time in such an environment.
Unlike other regions of the globe where time zones govern the notion of time, in Antarctica, all time zones in the world are technically correct. This situation arises from the fact that the poles do not have their own longitude, being the point of convergence of all meridians. Thus, one could say that technically, any time is good in Antarctica.
Another particularity of Antarctica is the absence of government and formal laws governing the concept of time, the region does not fall under any specific time zone. That said, although Antarctica is de facto in all time zones simultaneously, it remains difficult to determine precisely which time zone is relevant due to the intense day-night cycles around the June and December solstices.
Time zones for knowing the time in Antarctica are generally based on territorial claims and the time zones of supply bases. For example, Antarctic research stations often adopt the time zones of the countries that fund or supply them. For example, the Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole operates in the New Zealand time zone (GMT +12 hours), due to its main supply base in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Despite the lack of a permanent population, approximately 5,000 scientists and support staff operate at the research stations in the summer, and 1,000 people stay there in the winter. Time management can be complex in Antarctica, with biannual changes due to daylight saving time. Tourists and visitors often have to adjust to the local time zone of the station they are visiting.
In comparison, another place in the world that does not have a time zone is the North Pole, although its nature is different from Antarctica. Located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, the North Pole sits on the moving ice sheet, making it difficult to define a specific time zone. The boundaries are blurred and shifting, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact position in terms of time.
In short, Antarctica is distinguished by its complex nature in terms of time, defying established time measurement conventions elsewhere in the world. This extreme region thus provides a fascinating setting for thinking about the relativity of time and how humans adapt to unique and unusual environments.