Three types of zone are established within the ASMA to manage multiple uses and activities:

Operations Zone

The purpose of the Operations Zone is to ensure that science support facilities and related human activities within the Area are contained and managed within a designated area, including main station services (e.g. living facilities), ski-way operations, and tourism.

Management activities in the Operations Zone include waste management, adoption of standard operating procedures, contingency planning for emergencies, and the coordination of new construction or installations to minimize impacts on scientific activities.

Scientific Zone

The Scientific Zone extends from the Operational Zone at Amundsen-Scott Station to the outer ASMA boundary (Map 1) and is established to protect certain types of scientific research from disturbance. Of particular concern are interference from sound, light, vibration, electro-magnetic radiation, air pollution, snow drifting, and visual obstruction. Amundsen-Scott Station has been designed so that sensitive scientific activities and instruments are strategically located away from operations that may cause interference.

The Scientific Zone is divided into four Sectors (Map 2) listed below to address management needs for different types of science. Specific guidelines apply to activities within these Sectors (defined in Appendix B of the Management Plan), including entry conditions, which aim to ensure that sensitive studies are not subjected to undue interference.

Clean Air Sector – ensures a pristine air- and snow-sampling environment for climate systems research;

Quiet Sector – activities and equipment emitting noise or vibration are limited to enable seismologic research and other vibration-sensitive pursuits;

Downwind Sector – no obstructions are allowed, to provide an area suitable for balloon launches, aircraft operations, and other "downwind" activities;

Dark Sector - light pollution and electromagnetic noise are minimized to assist astronomical and astrophysical research.

Restricted Zones

The purpose Restriced Zones is to restrict access into a particular part of the ASMA and/or activities within it for a range of reasons, e.g. owing to special scientific values, because of sensitivity, presence of hazards, or to restrict emissions or constructions at a particular site. Access into Restricted Zones should normally be for compelling reasons that cannot be served elsewhere within the Area. Access to Restricted Zones is prohibited except by authorized personnel for essential scientific, operational or management purposes.

There are six Restricted Zones in the ASMA, all located within or near the Operations Zone (Map 3 and Map 4): details of the boundaries and restrictions applying within the Restricted Zones are provided in Appendix C of the Management Plan.