In 1980, the ceremonial South Pole marker was an orange-and-black-painted bamboo pole with a mirrored ball on top. The bamboo pole was painted the current colors of red and white later that same year. The ceremonial Pole marker is surrounded by the flags of the original 12 nations that signed the Antarctic Treaty. This Pole marker is distinguished from the actual U.S. Geological Survey post a few yards away that marks the exact location of 90 degrees south. At the time this photo was taken, the station was located under the geodesic dome seen in the distance.