Medical emergency reported at U.S. station in Antarctica

(CNN) -- A medical emergency was under way Wednesday at the largest research station in Antarctica, which is the hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Australia said its Antarctic Division was asked to "assist in the repatriation of an expeditioner from the American Antarctic McMurdo station."

The U.S. National Science Foundation is coordinating the operation, a statement from the Australian government said.

The NSF did not immediately release any details.

Nations "work together very cooperatively" in such situations, said Dr. Tony Fleming, director of the Australian Antarctic Division.

An Australian team was headed to Christchurch, New Zealand, and will fly to McMurdo station "when weather and light permit," the statement from Australia said.

The station, established in 1955, is built on bare volcanic rock on Ross Island, the solid ground farthest south that is accessible by ship, according to the NSF, an independent U.S. government agency.

The station has landing strips on sea ice and shelf ice, as well as a helicopter pad.

Temperatures Wednesday were 9 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (23 below zero Celsius), with the wind chill making it feel like 19 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (28 degrees below zero Celsius), according to the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Researchers there conduct studies in astrophysics, biology, medicine, geology, glaciology and ocean and climate systems.

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 8, 2012 -- Updated 1218 GMT (2018 HKT)