Svalbard Global Seed Vault
This large fortress that can hold up to 4.5 million seed varieties is located around 1,300 kilometers south of the North Pole, on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. The vault is constructed 120 meters inside a sandstone mountain. The location was considered ideal due to its lack of tectonic activity and its permafrost, which will aid preservation. Being located 130 meters above sea level will ensure that the site remains dry even if the icecaps melt.
Often called the “Doomsday” Seed Vault, the Svalbard Seed Vault is the world’s insurance policy against botanical disasters, so that food production can be restarted anywhere on the planet following a regional or global catastrophe. To maintain security, motion sensors and a webcam monitor the door.
