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EPSG:3031 — WGS 84 / Antarctic Polar Stereographic

Antarctic Polar Stereographic — the standard CRS for Antarctic mapping, ice-sheet research and SCAR datasets.

Code
EPSG:3031
Type
Projected
Area
Antarctica

PROJ definition

+proj=stere +lat_0=-90 +lat_ts=-71 +lon_0=0 +x_0=0 +y_0=0 +datum=WGS84 +units=m +no_defs +type=crs

Geographic bounds

W -180°   S -90°   E 180°   N -60°

Convert coordinates with EPSG:3031

About EPSG:3031

EPSG:3031 is the WGS 84 / Antarctic Polar Stereographic projection: true at 71°S, central meridian 0°E, on the WGS 84 ellipsoid. Used universally for Antarctic mapping, the Antarctic Digital Database, BAS, USGS Antarctic resource, and almost every published map of the continent.

The projection preserves shape (conformal) and provides reasonable scale across the entire continent, but distorts area at the periphery. For area-based analysis prefer EPSG:9354 (LAEA Antarctic) or EPSG:6932 (EASE-Grid 2.0 South).

Common use cases

  • Antarctic Digital Database (ADD)
  • British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and USGS Antarctic mapping
  • Ice-sheet research and remote sensing
  • SCAR and treaty-related Antarctic data products

Common transformations from EPSG:3031

Frequently asked questions

Why is EPSG:3031 true at 71°S, not at the Pole?
Polar Stereographic at 90° has zero distortion only at the pole and increasing distortion outwards. Setting the latitude of true scale at 71°S balances distortion across the Antarctic continent.
What is the proj4 string for EPSG:3031?
The proj4 definition for EPSG:3031 is: +proj=stere +lat_0=-90 +lat_ts=-71 +lon_0=0 +x_0=0 +y_0=0 +datum=WGS84 +units=m +no_defs +type=crs
Where is EPSG:3031 used?
EPSG:3031 (WGS 84 / Antarctic Polar Stereographic) is defined for the area: Antarctica.