# Would Antarctica be a good place for my evil lair? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 28, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948 "2004-11-28T02:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/1 "2004-11-28T02:43:36Z")
Not that I am to conserned with the laws of men, but could anyone stop me if I wanted to build my fortress of evil solitude in the Antartic? Would there be anyone trying to stop me? Would the UN require some sort of approval? What about resources found there? I plan to quickly begin explorations for uranium and assorted materials. If I find them will there be anyone to say “No you mad fool, those belong to me!”. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/2 "2004-11-28T02:51:42Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > If I find them will there be anyone to say “No you mad fool, those belong to me!”. If they’re staring down the barrel of your 1920s-style death ray, they probably wouldn’t put up TOO much of a fight. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/3 "2004-11-28T02:53:55Z")
I can’t speak to what governments might say…but I can speaks to the minerals. The average depth of the ice is 7k feet. To do any mining…bring a lot of shovels. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/4 "2004-11-28T03:10:54Z")
Yes, it’s all a Territory of one government or the other. And it’s all protected by various extremely restrictive environmental restrictions. You think James Bond is trouble? He ain’t got nuthin’ on a bunch of riled up greenies looking to have your ass for breakfast (if they weren’t vegan). And besides which, it’s rather cold. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/5 "2004-11-28T03:20:15Z")
While in theory there may be rules concerning Antartica, the extent to which such treaties and rules are enforced is, um… spotty. Fact is, Antarctica is almost totally empty. There’s nobody there to catch you breaking any rules. Providing you ensure your evil lair is not along the flight path of any resupply runs to the very few human-run stations on the interior, you can very likely set up shop and nobody will notice. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/6 "2004-11-28T03:32:35Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > Would there be anyone trying to stop me? Would the UN require some sort of approval? What about resources found there? I plan to quickly begin explorations for uranium and assorted materials. I think the UN would get on your case over the anything you build there. Uranium processing is a particular no-no. [The Antarctic Treaty System: an introduction](http://www.scar.org/treaty/) > [@](#): > > The primary purpose of the Antarctic Treaty is to ensure “in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.” To this end it prohibits military activity, except in support of science; prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste; promotes scientific research and the exchange of data; and holds all territorial claims in abeyance. The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South Latitude, including all ice shelves and islands. From [The Antarctic Treaty](http://www.unog.ch/disarm/distreat/antarc.htm) itself: > [@](#): > > Article I > > 1. Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. There shall be prohibited, inter alia, any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, as well as the testing of any types of weapons. > Article V > 2. Any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal there of radioactive waste material shall be prohibited. You _might_ be able to prospect at the south pole as the first link says that “The Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities (Wellington 1988), negotiated between 1982 and 1988, will not enter into force.” However, something may have been worked out since that time. These antarctic restrictions mean that a deserted pacific island is still the #1 site choice for fortresses of evil solitude. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/7 "2004-11-28T03:36:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Article I:_ > “Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. There > shall be prohibited, inter alia, any measure of a military > nature, such as the establishment of military bases and > fortifications, the carrying out of military manoeuvres, as well > as the testing of any type of weapon.” From [The Antarctic Treaty](http://sedac.ciesin.org/entri/texts/acrc/at.txt.html) signed 1 Dec 59, ratified and enforced 23 Jun 61. But that would seem to apply to _governmental_ entities, not to rogue states/organizations that weren’t signatories to the treaty. I don’t know dude. It seems like everyone else said it before: If nobody’s watching, who’s gonna know? Tripler At least your beer will be cold down there. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/8 "2004-11-28T03:38:00Z")
Dammit **Squink** , you beat me! That’ll teach me for answering the phone mid-composition-of-a-post!! Tripler Grrrr . . . “And I’ll get your little dog too!” :cackles: ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/9 "2004-11-28T03:39:18Z")
Several nations claim chunks of Antarctica. The US and Russia have relinquished their claims, but don’t recognize the claims of any other nations. (We consider Antarctica to be the common property of mankind, or somesuch tripe.) As a practical matter, however, there’s really nothing down there worth defending. As **RickJay** suggests, as long as you could keep your operations low-key, and don’t make a conspicuous pest of yourself, you could probably operate autonomously for quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![jtraut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@jtraut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtraut)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/10 "2004-11-28T03:45:41Z")
Put your evil lair in international waters and delare it a country like that guy did… I believe it was called SeaLand… I’ll see if I can find a link… ---
**Author:** ![jtraut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@jtraut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtraut)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/11 "2004-11-28T03:48:30Z")
Dude I love the the internet… check this out… [http://www.sealandgov.com/](http://www.sealandgov.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/12 "2004-11-28T03:54:50Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Dammit **Squink** , you beat me! That’ll teach me for answering the phone mid-composition-of-a-post!! Plus, I had **two** links, to your one! I usually end up screwing myself by digging around in too many sites, and then someone beats me to a perfectly good answer. But not tonight! Yessiree, tonight I’m cooking with natural gas! 😃😉 ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/13 "2004-11-28T04:02:25Z")
IIRC don’t many major powers (including the U.S.) have no claims nor _recognize_ any claims to land in Antarctica? ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/14 "2004-11-28T04:03:18Z")
How difficult would it be to build a house in Antarctica? What kind of heating would I need? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/15 "2004-11-28T04:55:10Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > What kind of heating would I need? 😃 Here’s a shot of practical [antartic heating system](http://theburningpenguins.da.ru/). ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/16 "2004-11-28T21:17:55Z")
S no one knows what will happen when I begin construction of my death ray? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/17 "2004-11-28T21:21:44Z")
You plan on using it “for peaceful purposes only”, right? ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/18 "2004-11-28T21:28:56Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > How difficult would it be to build a house in Antarctica? What kind of heating would I need? 😃 Wood-burning stove = Bad Idea. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/19 "2004-11-28T21:43:24Z")
If you do set up an evil base in the Antarctic, you’ll be glad to know that the US government is in the process of building a [road](http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993300) to make your life just that little bit easier. For a look at a (presumably non-evil) base, try [this](http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/vtour/pole/) ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948/20 "2004-11-28T21:43:32Z")
You need to watch out for [bugs!](http://www.avp-movie.com/) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-antarctica-be-a-good-place-for-my-evil-lair/276948.md?page=2)