The geographic North and South Poles represent the two points on Earth where the planet’s axis of rotation meets the surface. These unique geographic locations challenge the conventional system of timekeeping used across the rest of the globe. Since the poles experience six months of continuous daylight followed by six months of continuous darkness, the astronomical basis for time zones—the rising and setting of the sun—is absent. Determining the time at the poles relies entirely on human logistical decisions, not standard geography.
The Problem with Meridians
The world’s time zones are mathematically defined by lines of longitude, known as meridians, which circle the globe from pole to pole. Each time zone is theoretically centered on a meridian and represents one hour of difference, based on the Earth rotating 15 degrees of longitude every 60 minutes. This system works perfectly until one reaches the geographic poles, where all 360 degrees of longitude converge at a single point.
When all meridians meet at the pole, any step taken around that point theoretically crosses all 24 time zones instantly. This geometric reality renders the concept of a dedicated, mandatory time zone completely meaningless at these precise locations. As a result, the poles are simultaneously located in every time zone and no time zone at all. The lack of a sun-based day-night cycle further complicates the problem.
Timekeeping in the Arctic
The North Pole is situated in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, which is covered by constantly shifting sea ice. Because of this fluid environment and lack of permanent habitation, there is no official or regulated time zone for the North Pole. Timekeeping in the Arctic is dictated purely by the operational needs of the people present.
Scientific expeditions, research vessels, and military submarines generally adopt Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for administrative and navigational purposes while at sea. Using UTC, which is the global time standard, ensures seamless communication and data logging with international partners. Other expeditions may simply adhere to the time zone of their country of origin or their primary supply base. This practice maintains a practical link to their support structure, preventing confusion when coordinating logistics.
Timekeeping in Antarctica
The South Pole, unlike the North Pole, is located on the continental landmass of Antarctica, hosting a permanent, internationally staffed facility. The United States’ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is built almost directly at the geographic pole, necessitating a fixed time standard for its continuous operations. Since the time zone cannot be determined by geography, the station adopts a time based on pure logistical convenience.
The Amundsen-Scott station observes New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) or New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT), making it UTC+12 or UTC+13, respectively. This choice is made because the primary logistical hub for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) is Christchurch, New Zealand. All major resupply flights and personnel transfers to the South Pole Station are routed through Christchurch, making it most efficient for the station to synchronize its clocks with its supply chain. The station observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), even though the pole experiences 24 hours of daylight during the summer season.