Soviet Expedition to the North Pole

Abstract

THE comprehensive Soviet scheme for the exploration and utilization of arctic territories has been carried another step forward by the institution of a polar research station within twelve miles of the North Pole. An aeroplane carrying Prof. O. Schmidt and several others left the meteorological station on Rudolf Island, Franz Josef Land, in lat. 81° 47′ N. on May 21 and flew over the Pole before landing on a convenient floe. A few days later three other aero planes arrived with materials for the hut, instruments, stores and fuel. The way between the station and Rudolf Island has been marked every thirty miles by bombs of dye stuff. The hut, which is of metal, wood and rubber, is to be maintained for a year. It will be in wireless communication with Moscow, which will receive daily weather bulletins. The chief object of the enterprise is meteorological research, since only casual data have hitherto been obtained north of lat. 80 ° N. Such data will have a practical bearing on the proposed air route between the Soviet Union and the United States. The station is, of course, afloat and is reported to be drifting at the rate of about half a mile an hour. The direction is not stated: it may be rotary or more likely towards north-east Greenland. However, so long as the station remains in a high latitude, its purpose will be fulfilled, for its location actually at the Pole has more dramatic than practical value. A moving station will certainly facilitate hydrographical work. There is little likelihood of the floes disintegrating unless they drift into a much lower latitude or approach the area of ice pressure off northern Greenland.