Spain has officially closed the Gabriel de Castilla Base at the end of the 2026 austral summer, capping a productive season that met all operational and research objectives, according to the Spanish Army.
Located on Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands, the base serves as Spain’s primary summer research hub. Because it is accessible only during the brief Antarctic summer, making full use of the operational window is critical.
The Spanish Army provided the logistical backbone for the deployment. Military officials confirmed that the campaign supported scientific work across glaciology, marine biology, geology and climate science before winter conditions forced the scheduled closure.
The station is named after Gabriel de Castilla, a Spanish navigator whose early 17th-century expeditions may have reached Antarctic waters decades before the continent’s official discovery.
The successful conclusion of the 2026 season underscores Spain’s continued presence and commitment to international scientific collaboration. After completing the programme, all personnel were safely withdrawn, reinforcing the principles of the Antarctic Treaty System, which reserves the continent for peace and science.
Source: Ejército de Tierra
