The participants of the round-the-world expedition of the Russian Navy and the Russian Geographical Society took part in commemorative events dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the sixth continent by Russian sailors. The celebrations took place on January 28 at the Russian Antarctic station “Bellingshausen”.
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The oceanographic research vessel of the Russian Navy "Admiral Vladimirsky" reached Antarctica on the eve of the festivities, on January 27. The ship anchored in Maxwell Bay. On the day of the anniversary of the discovery of the sixth continent, the expedition crew took part in a ceremonial rally. The event was attended by the members of the Russian Antarctic Expedition, as well as the researchers from the international Antarctic stations. In honor of the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the southern continent and the start of the Year of Antarctica in Russia, they raised the flag of the anniversary. Also, as part of the celebration, a festive dinner was held, attended by Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dmitry Kobylkin, and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid.
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At the moment, the crew of “Admiral Vladimirsky” is completing the necessary repairs and is preparing to set sail. It will study the seabed and coastline of Antarctica. In general, as part of the expedition, a group of scientists will conduct extensive oceanographic and hydrometeorological studies in the Antarctic seas. They also plan to obtain unique bathymetric data. All this will significantly enrich the climate databases that are in demand by research organizations. In the D’Urville Sea, the scientists will clarify the location of the South magnetic pole of our planet. In addition, they are conducting continuous monitoring of the development of dangerous weather phenomena along the entire route. Also, on the way from Europe to South America, the researchers studied the relief of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
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We would like to remind you, that the round-the-world oceanographic expedition aboard the vessels of the Hydrographic Service of the Russian Navy is carried out together with the Russian Geographical Society. It is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by Russian sailors on the “Vostok” and “Mirny” sloops under the command of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev; as well as the 250th birthday anniversary of Admiral Ivan Kruzenshtern.
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The expedition departed on December 3, 2019 from the port of Kronstadt. The route mainly repeats the path that Russian sloops under the command of Russian sailors traveled 200 years ago. However, unlike it, starting from the Arctic Circle, the ship will go west to the research area. On June 6, 2020, the vessel will return to Kronstadt. By this moment, the distance traveled by the expedition will be about 40 thousand miles.