Chemicals in Antarctic huts pose 'potential explosive' risk

Two of Antarctica's most significant historic huts, Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod Hut and Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Hut, are facing a potential threat from old chemicals stored within them. A recent report has warned that these substances could pose "potential explosive hazards," raising concerns for the preservation of these time capsules from the Heroic Era of Antarctic exploration.

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In 2025, New Zealand reported that chemicals inside Scott's hut, Cape Evans and Shackleton's hut, Cape Royds, were assessed to be potential explosive hazards due to the possible presence of picric acid crystals, picric acid solution and peroxide crystals

Shackleton's Hut, built in 1908, served as a base for expeditions that reached unprecedented distances toward the South Pole. Scott's Hut, erected in 1911, was the starting point for his ill-fated journey to the South Pole, a mission that tragically resulted in the deaths of Scott and his team upon their return. Managed by New Zealand, these huts are popular destinations for hundreds of tourists and researchers annually.

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when those types of chemicals were found in laboratories in Australia, "often the bomb squad would be called out" to ensure their safe disposal.

The safety risks were highlighted in a report presented at the annual meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations. It detailed that chemicals found inside Scott's hut at Cape Evans and Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds were assessed as potential explosive hazards. The report specifically mentioned the possible presence of picric acid crystals, picric acid solution, and peroxide crystals.

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picric acid had a "higher relative effectiveness factor as an explosive than TNT".

While the report did not specify the quantities or types of containers for these chemicals, experts emphasize the inherent danger. Nathan Kilah, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Tasmania, explained that such chemicals, if found in Australian laboratories, would typically warrant a bomb squad response for safe disposal. He noted that picric acid, for instance, has a higher relative effectiveness as an explosive than TNT, meaning even small amounts could cause significant injury if detonated.

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Scale is important, but a small firework or a cracker held in a closed hand could destroy someone's hand. And the black powder in that cracker has a TNT equivalent of about half of TNT. So, a small amount of picric acid could be very hazardous … if it was detonated.