Explosive Hazards Found in Shackleton and Scott's Antarctic Huts

New Zealand has issued a stark warning regarding the presence of highly explosive chemicals inside two of Antarctica's most revered historic huts. Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod Hut and Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Hut, both managed by New Zealand, contain deteriorating chemicals that could pose significant safety risks to visitors and researchers. The discovery forces a difficult conversation about how we preserve the fragile legacy of early exploration while ensuring the safety of those who visit these remote sites today.

What explosive chemicals are hiding in the historic huts?

At last month's annual meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations, New Zealand tabled a report reminding parties of safety risks first raised in 2025. The report states that chemicals inside Scott's hut at Cape Evans and Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds were assessed to be