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"NORTH POLE" DRIFTING STATIONS (1937-1991)
I.P. Romanov, Yu.B. Konstantinov, St. Petersburg Condensed English version edited by V.F. Radionov and F. Fetterer |
TO THE BLESSED MEMORY OF POLAR EXPLORERS WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH TO THE STUDY AND EXPLORATION OF THE ARCTIC
PREFACE
It was 60 years in 1997 since the time when the first "North Pole-1" (NP-1) research station was set up on the drifting ice of the Arctic Ocean. The drift of NP-1 laid the foundation for the study of nature in the most inaccessible part of the Earth's northern polar area. The drifting stations successfully operated until July 25, 1991 when the last drifting station, NP-31, was closed.
From May 21, 1937 to July 25, 1991, 88 drifting station teams carried out scientific studies on the ice of the Arctic Ocean. The total drift duration of the "North Pole" stations comprised 29,726 days. The ice floes on which these stations were located drifted along complicated meandering routes with a combined overall length of 169,654 km and an average speed of 5.71 kilometers per day. A total of 2009 persons participated in year-long studies. Around 8885 people were involved in short-term studies under special programs and in occasional visits to the stations (not including the aircraft and vessel crews).
For establishing the drifting stations and maintaining their activities, 23,370 tons of cargo were shipped from the mainland bases to the ice, including fuel, food, equipment for everyday activities, scientific gear and instruments. Different types of aircraft and helicopters ranging from R-5, TB-3, PE-8 to LI-2, AN-2, IL-12, TU-4, IL-14 and, in the 1970s and later, AN-12, IL-18, AN-74 aircraft and MI-4, MI-6 and MI-8 helicopters were used to make 15,183 flights to the ice airfields constructed by polar explorers on the drifting stations. Icebreakers and icebreaking vessels delivered 3460 tons of various cargo.
Sometimes it was impossible to prepare a runway due to the break-up of the ice floe on which the station was located. This happened on more than 800 occasions. In these cases, or when the drifting station was very remote from the continent, the necessary cargo was dropped from AN-12 and IL-76 aircraft.
Observations performed at the "North Pole" drifting stations made a great contribution to learning the typical features of natural processes in the Arctic, and promoted development of scientific and operational support for safe navigation along the high-latitudinal and traditional sea lanes of the Northern Sea Route. This contribution is enormous and it is difficult to overestimate it. Suffice it to state that during the station's operation, observations were made at 211,383 standard times and 3366 casts for temperature and salinity determination at standard levels were made at deep water hydrological stations. Tens of thousands of samples were collected and analyzed for dissolved oxygen, silicon, phosphorus, pH value, oil hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, and other components. A total of 727 bottom sediment samples were taken and 47,070 ocean depth soundings were made. A total of 105,191 solar radiation series measurements were carried out. The number of radiosondes launched was 32,859. Aerological measurements were performed at 21 stations in 51 shifts. Observations of the earth's magnetic field were carried out along with the determination of horizontal and vertical components and their continuous records at the magnetic variation station. Ionospheric observations were made at 12 stations for 31 shifts including vertical sounding, determination of radio wave absorption in the ionosphere and intensity of the field of shortwave radio station signals.
Prior to 1981 (NP-22) station coordinates were determined by celestial navigation. After 1981, coordinates were obtained by satellite navigation (the "Shlyuz" system) or using radio frequencies (using a Magnavox system). A total of 8223 determinations of station location were made.
In addition to the so-called standard programs, the drifting stations carried out a wide scope of special observations. In particular, these included observations of the fine structure of the water column in the 0-250 meter layer; determination of the heat exchange characteristics between the ocean and the atmosphere through ice of different thickness, underwater topography of hummocked ice areas, and dynamics of the sub-ice water layer. The interaction of oil products with ice, as well as the wave processes in the upper thermocline and in ice were investigated. Optical characteristics of water masses, sea ice types and the dependence of the electromagnetic properties of sea ice on its physical characteristics were also studied. The fine structure of the sound propagation velocity field in water was investigated. A large number of studies were devoted to determining ice strength characteristics, and the thermal properties, texture and crystalline structure of the ice. Natural oscillations in the ice and parameters of the ice cover stress were investigated.
A series of studies of aerosol-optical parameters of the atmosphere was carried out for the first time in 1979 at NP-22 in the framework of the Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP). Unique data on polar aerosol, cloud and radiation fluxes and their interactions in the arctic atmosphere were obtained. These observations were continued in 1988 at NP-28 under an extended program including spectroscopic measurements of carbon oxide and methane.
An equally important achievement of the "North Pole" research drifting stations along with their scientific contribution was the creation of a number of prominent scientists and polar explorers whose names are closely connected with the history of great geographical discoveries of the 20th century. Several generations of polar explorers passed a severe test on the drifting ice proving them courageous, staunch, patriotic and true to their duty. However, unfortunately, after 1992 all activity at the drifting stations and in high-latitudinal expeditions stopped due to a sharp decrease in funding of scientific studies, especially scientific expeditions. This activity is unlikely to be resumed in the near future.
The authors aim to expand and supplement the previously published handbooks by including information on the last expeditions. The earlier publications -- Brief information on the "North Pole" drifting stations by I.P. Romanov (1977), North Pole drifting stations and the high-latitudinal expeditions 1937-1987 by I.P. Romanov, N.A. Kornilov and A.A. Romanov (1987) -- were quickly sold out. This has confirmed again the need for such publications summarizing the results of 54 years of operation on the drifting ice at high latitudes. The authors are grateful to A.I. Romanov, son of Ilya. P. Romanov, who kindly provided his father's materials, and to K.I. Grachev and V.T. Sokolov for their help and assistance in preparation of the book. Regrettably, Ilya.P. Romanov did not live to see the publication of this book.
This publication is not free of deficiencies due to the difficulty of selecting, systematizing and reconstructing some of the materials. The authors will appreciate any comments, criticism and proposals.
The Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute
INTRODUCTION
The Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas have attracted Russian and non-Russian investigators and scientists for many years. The history of exploration of these regions is rich in examples of man's victories over the elements. The names of Nansen and Sedov, Piri and Amundsen, Somov, Gordiyenko, Treshnikov and many other investigators who devoted their life to study of the Arctic Ocean will be remembered forever.
Our country began very active studies of the Arctic in the second half of the 1930s after a successful voyage of the icebreaking vessel Aleksander Sibiryakov along the Siberian coast in the summer of 1932. Based on the results of this voyage, the USSR government made a decision to explore, as soon as possible, the sea route connecting the northern and eastern margins of Russia with its western economic regions.
This route passes through the marginal seas of the Arctic, where, without knowing the ice conditions, it would be virtually impossible to use the route as a routine waterway. Since the ice of the arctic seas is only an extension of the polar ice cover, a change in the ice edge of a marginal sea cannot be understood without studying the development of this "ice cap" in the Arctic Basin. It became quite clear that systematic observations of ice and weather at high arctic latitudes should be undertaken to find out the typical features of their development in time and space. Without knowledge of the atmospheric and ice processes occurring there, not only reliable forecasts of ice distribution in the arctic seas, but also reliable weather forecasts for the entire northern hemisphere are impossible.
In the late 1930s, Soviet scientists and polar explorers developed methods of efficient study in the central Arctic Basin, including the regions directly adjacent to the North Pole and the Pole of Relative Inaccessibility. (The Pole of Relative Inaccessibility is the conceptual point in the Arctic Ocean that is most distant from all land.) These methods were based on the experience gained and technical capabilities developed in the field of aviation. Prominent Russian scientists O.Yu. Schmidt and V.Yu. Viese supported emulating Nansen's method of setting up a drifting research station in the vicinity of the North Pole.
In February 1936, the Soviet Government made a decision on the basis of the Report of O.Yu. Schmidt to prepare an expedition to the North Pole. In the next year the airplane TB-3 piloted by M.V. Vodop'yanov landed on the drifting ice in the vicinity of the North Pole. A special expedition of Glavsevmorput' headed by O.Yu. Schmidt began fulfilling its main objective, namely, establishing the first drifting research station in the history of polar studies: "North Pole-1".
A legendary four-man team - I.D. Papanin, P.P. Shirshov, Ye.K. Fedorov and E.T. Krenkel -- carried out an extensive complex of meteorological, hydrological, hydrobiological, astronomical and geophysical studies over nine months of intense heroic work that shed new light on the nature of the Arctic Ocean and the character of different processes occurring in the Arctic Basin. The experience of operating the NP-1 station proved that in spite of the severe climate and the risk of living for a long time on sea ice, the Arctic Basin can be investigated using the drifting ice floes and aviation capabilities as the main transportation method for studies of ice and hydrology in areas inaccessible by other forms of transport.
There was another important event in arctic studies at this time: the drift of the icebreaking vessel Georgy Sedov (1937-1939) in the ice of the Arctic Ocean. The drift trajectory of the Georgy Sedov was more northward than that of the Fram, and crossed unexplored regions of the central Arctic Basin. Unique scientific data were obtained.
Around the same time, the icebreaker Yermak reached the 83 degrees, six minutes north latitude, which was a record at that time. This record was exceeded only 39 years later in August 1977, by the nuclear icebreaker Arktika. Polar ice still presents a serious hindrance for shipping, and significantly impacts exploration of natural resources of the Russian territory adjoining the Arctic, and the area's economic and social development.
These first studies of the Arctic Basin performed in the late 1930s and continued in the 1940s produced outstanding geographical discoveries as, for example, the discovery of the underwater Lomonosov Ridge. They also allowed formulating the main areas and principles of studies of the natural conditions in the northern polar area and laid the foundation for operational support of practical activities in the Arctic. Hydrometeorological information from the drifting station "North Pole" was an important component. In 1950 to 1951, the NP-2 drifting station was in operation. From April 1954 on, regular measurements of hydrometeorological and a number of other characteristics were carried out around the clock at drifting stations NP-3 through NP-31. NP-31 terminated operation in July 1991. In some years, as many as three stations drifting in different areas of the Arctic Basin made simultaneous measurements. Coordination and a significant portion of support for these studies was provided by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). (AARI was formerly the Institute for Study of the North in 1920-1929; the All-Union Arctic Institute in 1929-1939; the Arctic Research Institute in 1939-1958; and has been AARI since 1958.)
AARI was allocated the status of a State Research Center of the Russian Federation (RF SRC) by the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 648 of June 5, 1994.
In the 1980s, the technical equipment of the expeditions changed. The expeditions became more comprehensive in character, aiming to address large-scale scientific problems in the areas of polar oceanography, meteorology, ice research, geophysics, environmental protection, etc.
On March 4, 1995, the State Research Center of the Russian Federation, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute celebrated its 75th anniversary. It is the largest and the oldest specialized institution in the world for investigating the natural conditions of the Earth's polar areas. Scientific and expedition studies in the Arctic traditionally played a leading role over this time. They aimed predominantly at providing support for economic activities in combination with the political interests of the country in the Arctic. The history of these studies contains many glorious pages reflecting the national fame of Russia, which is evident in many geographical names in the Arctic.
The main results of the studies are contained in such fundamental publications as the Atlas of the Arctic Ocean and the Atlas of the Arctic (edited by A. Tzeshuikov, Leningrad, 1985) as well as in numerous monographs, handbooks and collections of articles. A significant portion of the generalizations and conclusions in these publications was based on the data collected at the "North Pole" drifting stations and during the high-latitudinal airborne and marine expeditions, due to the selfless efforts of many generations of polar explorers.
The economic and political events in Russia over the last five to seven years have drastically changed the situation in the Arctic region. In particular, there have been no Russian drifting stations in the Arctic Ocean since July 1991, the high-latitudinal Sever airborne expeditions no longer operate, and the number of polar stations on the arctic islands and the coast has been reduced.
The cessation of regular information from the Arctic Basin has hindered the development of polar science, and has affected the quality of ice and hydrometeorological forecasts along the Northern Sea Route. Note that when operating at a drifting station the naturally created medium -- ice -- is used. That is, information is obtained under perfect field conditions, which is of utmost importance for some types of observations. We hope very much that the abundant experience of operating and organizing the "North Pole" drifting stations gained by Russian polar explorers can be further used.
Unlike the previous editions, this supplemental and extended edition of the Handbook covers the entire period of operation of the drifting stations "North Pole" (from NP-1 to NP-31), that is, until July 25, 1991 when NP-31 began to melt intensively and was closed with the assistance of the icebreaker Murmansk.
We hope this report will be useful to specialists involved in polar studies.
DATES OF THE DRIFT OF THE STATIONS AND THEIR DRIFT PATTERNS
Station | Drift period | Platform | Transportation Means |
Closed due to: |
NP-1 | 21.05.37-19.02.38 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Complete breakup, demobilization by icebreaking vessels. |
NP-2 | 02.04.50-11.04.51 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Breakup, the ice floe was changed. |
NP-3 | 15.04.54-19.04.55 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Fram Strait. |
NP-4 | 03.04.54-19.04.57 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Complete breakup. |
NP-5 | 21.05.55-08.10.56 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station drifted towards the Siberian shelf. |
NP-6 | 15.04.56-14.09.59 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Fram Strait. |
NP-7 | 23.04.57-11.04.59 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Canada. |
NP-8 | 15.04.59-19.03.62 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Complete breakup. |
NP-9 | 28.04.60-28.03.61 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Significant breakup. |
NP-10 | 17.10.61-29.04.64 | Ice floe | Icebreaker | Significant breakup. |
NP-11 | 12.04.62-20.04.63 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Significant breakup. |
NP-12 | 30.04.63-25.04.65 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Canada. |
NP-13 | 22.04.64-17.04.67 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Complete breakup. The personnel moved to the subsidiary NP-13. |
NP-14 | 01.04.65-11.02.66 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station collided first with Zhokhov Island, then with Genrietta Island, complete breakup. |
NP-15 | 29.03.66-22.03.68 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Significant breakup, transfer to new ice floe. |
NP-16 | 09.04.68-16.10.69 | Ice floe | Aircraft | Complete breakup, two transfers to new ice floes. |
NP-17 | 29.04.68-16.10.69 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station was approaching Fram Strait. |
NP-18 | 09.09.68-24.10.71 | Ice floe | Aircraft | From 09.09.68 to 18.05.69, the station was on the ice island, where NP-19 was set up. |
NP-19 | 07.11.69-14.04.73 | Ice island | Aircraft | In January 1970 the ice island grounded and broke up. Transfer to a larger remaining part of the ice island. |
NP-20 | 11.04.70-10.05.72 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The studies were completed. |
NP-21 | 01.05.72-21.05.74 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The studies were completed. |
NP-22 | 13.09.73-08.04.82 | Ice island | Icebreaker | The station was approaching Fram Strait. |
NP-23 | 05.12.75-01.11.78 | Ice island | Aircraft | The station approached Greenland. |
NP-24 | 21.06.78-19.11.80 | Ice island | Aircraft plus icebreaker | The station was calculated to enter Fram Strait in polar night. |
NP-25 | 16.05.81-20.04.84 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station drifted away to the Beaufort Sea. |
NP-26 | 21.05.83-09.04.86 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Fram Strait. |
NP-27 | 02.06.84-20.05.87 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Fram Strait. |
NP-28 | 21.05.86-21.01.89 | Ice floe | Aircraft | The station approached Fram Strait. |
NP-29 | 10.06.87-19.08.88 | Ice floe | Icebreaker | The studies were completed. |
NP-30 | 09.10.87-04.04.91 | Ice floe | Icebreaker | The station drifted away to Canada. |
NP-31 | 22.10.88-25.07.91 | Ice floe | Icebreaker | The ice floe melted. |
Summary information on all "NORTH POLE" drifting stations
"NORTH POLE-1" DRIFTING STATION
NP-1, Papanin I.D., Head
Opened on May 21, 1937, 89°24' N; 78°40'E
Closed on February 19, 1938, 70°03' N; 20°00'E
Scientific Studies:
Astronomical, meteorological, oceanographic (hydrology, biology), geomagnetic, aurora borealis observations
General Information:
Drift duration: 274 days
Mean speed: 7.5 km/day
Drift track length: 2050 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3200x1600 m
Notes:
Complete breakup at station closing. The ice thickness was 300 cm.
Ten tons of cargo were delivered.
Five aircraft landed at the station (TB-3, R-5).
A total of 34 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-2" DRIFTING STATION
NP-2, Somov M.M., Head
Opened on April 2, 1950, 76°02' N; 166°30'E
Closed on April 11, 1951, 81°45' N; 167°48'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, ice, astronomical, solar radiation, meteorological, temperature and humidity measurements in the near-ice air layer, vertical wind gradient observations, geomagnetic, gravimetric, aerological
General Information:
Drift duration: 376 days
Mean speed: 6.9 km/day
Drift track length: 2600 km.
Ice floe size at opening: 3000x2400 m
Notes:
Complete breakup at station closing. The camp was moved to another ice floe.
96 t of cargo were delivered.
71 planes (PE-8, SI-47, IL-12, LI-2) landed at the station
A total of 58 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-3" DRIFTING STATION
NP-3, Treshnikov A.F., Head
Opened on April 15, 1954, 86°00' N; 178°00'W
Closed on April 19, 1955, 86°00' N; 31°42'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, astronomical and geomagnetic, solar radiation, meteorological, aerological, ionospheric, sanitary-medical support, phenological
General Information:
Drift duration: 378 days
Mean speed: 5 km/day
Drift track length: 2200 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2000x2500 m
Notes:
In November, a crack formed in the ice in the station area and the station was transferred to a different place. In March, a crack up to 300 m wide divided the camp into two parts, but the station was left at the same place.
189 t of cargo were delivered.
133 aircraft (LI-2, IL-12, AN-2, PE-8, TU-4) and one MI-4 helicopter landed at the station.
A total of 107 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-4" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-4, Tolstikov Ye. I., Head
Opened on April 3, 1954, 75°48' N; 178°25'W
Shift end on April 9, 1955, 80°40' N; 176°06'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 371 days
Mean speed: 6.8 km/day
Drift track length: 2532 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2600x2800 m
Notes:
There were three breakups at the station during the drift.
426 t of cargo were delivered.
575 aircraft (AN-2, PE-8, IL-12, LI-2) and MI-4 helicopter landed at the station.
A total of 151 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-4" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-4, Gordiyenko P. A., Head
Shift start on April 9, 1955, 80°40' N; 176°06'W
Shift end on April 20, 1956, 87°26' N; 178°22'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 378 days
Mean speed: 6.6 km/day
Drift track length: 2500 km
Ice floe size at opening: The ice floe size at the shift start was 1100x800 m with breaks at the floe edges. In December it was 800x500 m and 1200x800 m in March.
Notes:
187 t of cargo were delivered.
150 aircraft (IL-12, LI-2, TU-4, AN-2) and MI-4 helicopter landed at the station.
A total of 114 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-4" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-4, Dralkin A. G., Head
Shift start on April 20, 1956, 87°26' N; 178°22'W
Closed on April 19, 1957, 85°22' N; 00°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, ice, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 356 days
Mean speed: 5.3 km/day
Drift track length: 1937 km
Ice floe size at opening: The ice floe size was 800x500 m at opening the station decreasing to 400x200 m at its closing.
Notes:
Six ice floe break off and breakup events were observed during the drift.
243 t of cargo were delivered.
146 aircraft (IL-12, LI-2, AN-2, TU-4) and MI-4 helicopter landed at the station.
A total of 71 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-5" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-5, Volkov V.T., Head
Opened on April 21, 1955, 82°10' N; 156°51'E
Shift end on April 20, 1956, 86°21' N; 89°16'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 365 days
Mean speed: 6.9 km/day
Drift track length: 2650 km
Ice floe size at opening: The ice floe size was 5000x5000 m at the shift start decreasing to 520x390 m at the shift end.
Notes:
Eleven strong compression and breakup events were observed during the drift with a total of 110 shears.
238 t of cargo were delivered.
332 aircraft (TU-4, IL-12, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 94 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-5" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-5, Sokolov A.L. , Head
Shift start on April 20, 1956, 86°21' N; 89°16'E
Closed on October 8, 1956, 84°23' N; 63°19'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 171 days
Mean speed: 6.6 km/day
Drift track length: 1129 km
Ice floe size at opening: 520x326 m
Notes:
64 t of cargo were delivered.
64 aircraft (IL-12, LI-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 26 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-6" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-6, Sychev V.T., Head
Opened on April 15, 1956, 74°27' N; 177°04'E
Shift end on April 17, 1957, 75°37' N; 171°04'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 368 days
Mean speed: 7.1 km/day
Drift track length: 2588 km
Ice floe size at opening: 13,800x8300 m
Notes:
313 t of cargo were delivered.
150 aircraft (TU-4, IL-12, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 62 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-6" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-6, Driatsky V.M., Head
Shift start on April 17, 1957, 75°37' N; 171°04'E
Shift end on April 8, 1958, 80°56' N; 150°15'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, ice, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 359 days
Mean speed: 7.2 km/day
Drift track length: 2557 km
Ice floe size at opening: 13,800x8300m
Notes:
174 t of cargo were delivered.
165 aircraft (TU-4, IL-12, LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of 63 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-6" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-6, Serlapov S.T., Head
Shift start on April 8, 1958, 80°56' N; 150°15'E
Shift end on April 17, 1959, 87°18' N; 39°37'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ozone measurements, ionospheric characteristics, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 369 days
Mean speed: 6.9 km/day
Drift track length: 2537 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2000x8300
Notes:
At the drift start, two ice floe fragments broke off with a total area of 11,800 m2.
224 t of cargo were delivered.
154 aircraft (TU-4, IL-12, IL-14, LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of 153 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-6" DRIFTING STATION (fourth shift)
NP-6, Antonov V. S., Head
Shift start on April 17, 1959, 87°18' N; 39°37'E
Closed on September 1959, 82°06' N; 03°56'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, ionospheric , astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 156 days
Mean speed: 6.2 km/day
Drift track length: 965 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1200x830 m
Notes:
30 t of cargo was shipped from the station and 254 t delivered to the station.
76 aircraft (LI-2, AN-2, TU-4, IL-12) landed at the station.
A total of 94 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-7" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-7, Vedernikov V.A., Head
Opened on April 23, 1957, 82°06' N; 164°11'W
Shift end on April 11, 1958, 86°40' N; 150°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 353 days
Mean speed: 5.4 km/day
Drift track length: 1920 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2500x2700 m
Notes:
The ice floe broke into two parts overnight from May 1 to 2.
286 t of cargo were delivered.
198 aircraft (IL-12, LI-2, TU-4 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 37 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-7" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-7, Belov N.A., Head
Shift start on April 11, 1958, 86°40' N; 150°00'W
Closed on April 11, 1959, 85°14' N; 33°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, polar lights observations, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 365 days
Mean speed: 4.4 km/day
Drift track length: 1600 km
Ice floe size at opening: 800x1000 m
Notes:
Two breakups were observed during the drift resulting in a 35% to 40% decrease in the floe size.
225 t of cargo were delivered.
130 aircraft (TU-4, IL-12, LI-2, IL-14 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 50 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-8" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-8, Rogachev V.M., Head
Opened on April 19, 1959, 75°42' N; 163°10'W
Shift end on April 3, 1960, 79°07' N; 179°29'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological and solar radiation, aerological and ozone measurements, polar lights observations, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 354 days
Mean speed: 7.5 km/day
Drift track length: 2590 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3000x800
Notes:
During the drift, five cracks were observed that transformed into fractures. The camp was moved to another place three times.
191 t of cargo were delivered.
145 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 48 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-8" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-8, Blinov N.I., Head
Shift start on April 3, 1960, 79°07' N; 179°29'W
Shift end on April 15, 1961, 82°55' N; 149°08'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 377 days
Mean speed: 6.0 km/day
Drift track length: 2266 km
Ice floe size at opening: 960x50 m
Notes:
285 t of cargo were delivered, 170 t of it for the Sever expedition.
234 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14, LI-2, AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 40 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-8" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-8, Romanov I.P., Head
Shift start on April 15, 1961, 82°55' N; 149°08'W
Closed on March 19, 1962, 83°15' N; 132°30'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 338 days
Mean speed: 0.72 m/day
Drift track length: 1120 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1050x750 m, reducing to 120x60 m at station closing
Notes:
During the drift, 16 breakups were observed.
127 t of cargo were delivered.
160 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 71 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-9" DRIFTING STATION
NP-9, Shamontiev V.A., Head
Opened on April 21, 1960, 77°23' N; 163°00'E
Closed on March 28, 1961, 86°36' N; 176°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, phenological, aerological, astronomical, General Information:
Drift duration: 335 days
Mean speed: 7.8 km/day
Drift track length: 2610 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1800x3000 m, decreasing to 400x300 m at closing
Notes:
There were 29 breakups during the drift.
185 t of cargo were delivered.
162 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 63 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-10" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-10, Kornilov N.A., Head
Opened on October 17, 1959, 75°27' N; 177°10'E
Shift end on October 23, 1962, 78°53' N; 161°41'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, phenological, radio-physics, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 371 days
Mean speed: 5.3 km/day
Drift track length: 1990 km
Ice floe size at opening: 40,000x6000 m, decreasing to 1300x1100 m at the end of the shift
Notes:
510 t of cargo were delivered.
LI-2, IL-14 and AN-2 aircraft and K-15 helicopter were used.
A total of 138 people visited the ice floe.
The crew of the nuclear-powered icebreaker Lenin participated in the construction of the station and the airfield.
"NORTH POLE-10" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-10, Arkhipov V.I. and Konstantinov Yu.B., Heads
Shift start on October 23, 1962, 78°53' N; 161°41'E
Shift end on October, 1963, 84°02' N; 141°45'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, radio-physics, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 342 days
Mean speed: 5.6 km/day
Drift track length: 2122 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1300x1100 m, decreasing to 600-500 m at the shift end
Notes:
The runway was broken in half in April.
406 t of cargo were delivered.
561 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 159 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-10" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-10, Zakharov V.F., Head
Shift start on October 1, 1963, 84°02' N; 141°45'E
Closed on April 29, 1964, 88°32' N; 90°30'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geophysical, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 212 days
Mean speed: 5.6 km/day
Drift track length: 1182 km
Ice floe size at opening: 600x500 m
Notes:
61 t of cargo were delivered.
71 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 27 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-11" DRIFTING STATION
NP-11, Bryazgin N.N., Head
Opened on April 12, 1962, 77°10' N; 165°58'W
Closed on April 20, 1963, 81°10' N; 139°34'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 373 days
Mean speed: 65. km/day
Drift track length: 2400 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x6000 m, decreasing to 300x300 m at closing
Notes:
Many cracks with small fractures were observed during the drift including frequent ridging.
163 t of cargo were delivered.
164 aircraft (IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 32 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-12" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-12, Belyakov L.N., Head
Opened on April 30, 1963, 76°50' N; 165°34'W
Shift end on April 11, 1964, 81°16' N; 166°14'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 346 days
Mean speed: 4.95 km/day
Drift track length: 1714 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2500x1800 m, decreasing to 1500x1000 m at the end of the shift
Notes:
146 t of cargo were delivered.
164 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 21 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-12" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-12, Kudryavtsev N.F., Head
Shift start on April 11, 1964, 81°16' N; 166°14'W
Closed on April 25, 1965, 81°06' N; 145°47'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 379 days
Mean speed: 6.0 km/day
Drift track length: 2285 km
Ice floe size at opening: 900x600 m
Notes:
75 t of cargo were delivered.
122 aircraft (AN-2, IL-14 and LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of 36 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-13" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-13, Buzuyev A.Ya., Head
Opened on April 22, 1964, 73°50' N; 166°00'W
Shift end on March 31, 1965, 78°00' N; 187°20'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 343 days
Mean speed: 6.7 km/day
Drift track length: 2233 km
Ice floe size at opening: 8000x10000 m
Notes:
195 t of cargo were delivered.
168 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 45 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-13" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-13, Dubovtsev V.F., Head
Shift start on March 31, 1965, 78°00' N; 187°20'E
Shift end on April 15, 1966, 82°10' N; 133°00'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 380 days
Mean speed: 4.74 km/day
Drift track length: 1800 km
Ice floe size at opening: 6000x4000 m, decreasing to 1300x800 m at the end of the shift
Notes:
On May 9, 1965, a crack formed in the camp area and the camp was moved to a new place on the same ice floe.
288 t of cargo were delivered.
190 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and LI-2 ) landed at the station.
A total of 69 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-13" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-13, Nazintsev Yu.L., Head (from April to November)
Sidorov V.S., Head (from November to April)
Shift start on April 15, 1966, 82°10' N; 133°00'E
Closed on April 17, 1967, 87°52' N; 02°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, Ice, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological ,ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 367 days
Mean speed: 5.1 km/day
Drift track length: 1886 km
Ice floe size at opening: 250x200 m
Notes:
On September 25, large cracks occurred in the camp area. In October, the camp was transferred to the ice floe of the former "NP-13F".
130 t of cargo were delivered.
130 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and AN-12 ) landed at the station.
A total of 52 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-13F" DRIFTING STATION
NP-13F, Sidorov V.S., Head
Opened on April 3, 1965, 78°02' N; 166°33'E
Closed on October 14, 1966, 87°50' N; 133°01'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, morphological, leveling, study of young ice formation in cracks and in blowing snow concentrations, aerial photography along the route of physical measurements, seabed relief study, radio-physics, hydrooptical, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 559 days
Mean speed: 6.32 km/day
Drift track length: 3412 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x3000 m, decreasing to 1600x1400 m at closing
Notes:
931 t of cargo were delivered.
583 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed.
A total of 80 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-14" DRIFTING STATION
NP-14, Konstantinov Yu.B., Head
Opened on April 1, 1965, 74°20' N; 175°20'E
Closed on February 11, 1966, 77°00' N; 154°48'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemical, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 340 days
Mean speed: 4.79 km/day
Drift track length: 1628 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2500x3500 m, decreasing to 150x100 m at decommissioning
Notes:
Due to numerous cracks and breakups in the ice floe, the camp was transferred to a new place several times.
314 t of cargo were delivered.
207 aircraft (LI-2, IL-14, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 60 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-15" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-15, Panov V.V., Head
Opened on March 29, 1966, 78°50' N; 168°43'E
Shift end on April 15, 1967, 84°46' N; 168°30'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological ,solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 382 days
Mean speed: 4.1 km/day
Drift track length: 1563 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2600x33000 m, decreasing to 2000x15000 m at the end of the shift
Notes:
There were regular cracks across the ice floe edges during the entire drift period with ridging observed at the edges in some months.
599 t of cargo were delivered.
894 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2, AN-12) landed at the station.
A total of 116 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-15" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-15, Bulatov L.V., Head
Shift start on April 15, 1967, 84°46' N; 168°30'E
Closed on March 22, 1968, 85°45' N; 10°30'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, ozone measurements, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 342 days
Mean speed: 6.52 km/day
Drift track length: 2230 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1500x2000 m, decreasing to 600x400 m at closing
Notes:
Several breakups of the ice floe were observed up to May 21 and the camp was moved to a new place.
113 t of cargo were delivered.
116 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of 48 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-15F" DRIFTING STATION
NP-15F, Romanov I.P., Head
Opened on May 27, 1966, 79°37' N; 171°44'E
Closed on October 28, 1966, 82°10' N; 168°52'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 154 days
Mean speed: 5.48 km/day
Drift track length: 83 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x6000 m with a complete breakup at its decommissioning
Notes:
238 t of cargo were delivered.
226 aircraft (LI-2 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 67 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-16" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-16, Konstantinov Yu.B., Head
Opened on April 9, 1968, 74°58' N; 171°40'W
Shift end on April 4, 1969, 81°21' N; 177°38'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, phenological, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 360 days
Mean speed: 6.13 km/day
Drift track length: 2206 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3000x4000 m, decreasing to 8200x7400 m at the end of the shift
Notes:
214 t of cargo were delivered.
180 aircraft (IL-14 and LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of 51 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-16" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-16, Morozov P.T., Head
Shift start on April 4, 1969, 81°21' N; 177°38'E
Shift end on April 21, 1970, 83°19' N; 152°58'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrobiological, hydrochemical, radiophysical, geomagnetic, meteorological, ozone measurements, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 383 days
Mean speed: 2.5 km/day
Drift track length: 950 km
Ice floe size at opening: 8200x7400 m, decreasing to 4600x3500 m at end
Notes:
101 t of cargo were delivered.
123 aircraft (LI-2 and IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 38 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-16" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-16, Buzuyev A. Ya., Head
Shift start on April 21, 1970, 83°19' N; 152°58'W
Shift end on April 27, 1971, 86°14' N; 118°01'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemical, hydrobiological, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical, optional ice studies
General Information:
Drift duration: 371 days
Mean speed: 4.48 km/day
Drift track length: 1625 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4600x3500 m at the shift start decreasing to 600x400 m at its end
Notes:
The ice thickness comprised 300 cm.
70 t of cargo were delivered.
45 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14, LI-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 25 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-16" DRIFTING STATION (fourth shift)
NP-16, Morozov P.T., Head
Shift start on April 27, 1971, 86°14' N; 118°01'W
Closed on March 22, 1972, 86°00' N; 85°27'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 330 days
Mean speed: 3.65 km/day
Drift track length: 1200 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2200x1800 m, decreasing to 350x350 m at decommissioning
Notes:
Breakups occurred in spring and autumn.
88 t of cargo were delivered.
66 aircraft (LI-2, IL-14 and AN-12) landed at the station.
A total of 23 physician's visits to the station.
"NORTH POLE-17" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-17, Blinov N.I., Head
Opened on April 29, 1968, 80°28' N; 165°23'E
Shift end on April 16, 1969, 88°49' N; 69°48'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, medical, DARMS-68 trials, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 353 days
Mean speed: 6.7 km/day
Drift track length: 2358 km
Ice floe size at opening: 10,000x9000 m
Notes:
176 t of cargo were delivered.
229 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and AN-2) landed at the station.
20 cases of illness.
A total of 42 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-17" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-17, Ovchinnikov N.N., Head
Shift start on April 16, 1969, 88°49' N; 69°48'E
Closed on October 16, 1969, 86°48' N; 24°47'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, medical, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 183 days
Mean speed: 5.2 km/day
Drift track length: 952 km
Ice floe size at opening: 10,000x9000 m
Notes:
150 t of cargo were delivered.
37 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2) landed at the station.
A total of six physician's visits to the station.
"NORTH POLE-18" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-18, Ovchinnikov N.N., Head
Opened on September 9, 1968, 75°10' N; 165°02'W
Shift end on March 20, 1969, 74°41' N; 165°30'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 176 days
Mean speed: 6.4 km/day
Drift track length: 935 km
Ice floe size at opening: 13,600x7400 m
Notes:
940 t of cargo were delivered (408 t by aircraft).
LI-2, IL-14, and AN-12 aircraft were used.
A total of 220 people visited the ice floe.
On March 5, 1969, I. P. Romanov replaced the former Head of the station on the island and continued studies until the end of May with the same team receiving cargo for "NP-18" (on pack ice). After the end of studies the station was visited until "NP-19" was set up on the island.
"NORTH POLE-18" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-18, Romanov I.P., Head
Opened on May 9, 1969, 76°40' N; 160°00'E
Shift end on April 24, 1970, 79°31' N; 154°55'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, radio-physics, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 342 days
Mean speed: 6.06 km/day
Drift track length: 2072 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3000x3000 m
Notes:
720 t of cargo were delivered.
698 aircraft (AN-12, AN-2, LI-2, IL-14 and MI-4 and MI-6 helicopters) landed at the station.
A total of 246 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-18" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-18, Dubovtsev V.F., Head
Shift start on April 24, 1970, 79°31' N; 154°55'E
Shift end on April 15, 1971, 83°28' N; 157°29'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, medical, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 355 days
Mean speed: 5.67 km/day
Drift track length: 1960 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1200x1800 m
Notes:
436 t of cargo were delivered.
579 aircraft (AN-12, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 139 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-18" DRIFTING STATION (fourth shift)
NP-18, Kolosov Yu.V., Head
Shift start on April 15, 1971, 83°28' N; 157°29'E
Station closed on October 24, 1971, 86°06' N; 152°36'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemistry, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 192 days
Mean speed: 6.86 km/day
Drift track length: 1320 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2300x1600 m
Notes:
185 t of cargo were delivered.
173 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-8 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 120 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-18B" DRIFTING STATION
NP-18B, Boritsky K.A., Maikhrovsky E.N., Heads
Opened on May 10, 1969, 77°20' N; 160°13'E
Shift end on April 16, 1970, 79°58' N; 156°94'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 338 days
Mean speed: 6.05 km/day
Drift track length: 2039 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x4000 m
Notes:
304 t of cargo were delivered.
281 aircraft (LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
On April 16, 1970, Boiko I.T. became head of the station.
"NORTH POLE-19" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-19, Chilingarov A.N., Head
Shift start on November 7, 1969, 74°34' N; 161°48'E
Shift end on October 25, 1970, 77°55' N; 151°35'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, ice, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 336 days
Mean speed: 6.3 km/day
Drift track length: 2223 km
Ice floe size at opening: 13,600x400 m
Notes:
The ice floe size was 13,600x400 m at the shift start, the ice thickness comprising 3500 cm. In January the ice floe grounded (southeast of De-Long Islands) and broke up. The station was on an iceberg fragment 1500x1000 m in size. In March, the camp was moved to the remaining part of the island (12,000x6000 m in size).
342 t of cargo were delivered.
283 aircraft (LI-2, AN-2, IL-14 and MI-4 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 80 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-19" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-19, Yeremin N.N., Head
Shift start on October 5, 1970, 77°55' N; 151°35'E
Shift end on April 11, 1972, 88°52' N; 148°24'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, biological, biosphere radioactivity, theodolite observation of ice shears, radio-physics, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, influence of climatic condition on the operation of instruments and mechanisms, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 531 days
Mean speed: 6.3 km/day
Drift track length: 3270 km
Ice floe size at opening: 12,000x6000 m
Notes:
235 t of cargo were delivered.
288 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-8 helicopter) landed at the station.
163 physician's visits to the station
A total of 216 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-19" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-19, Konstantinov Yu.B., Head
Shift start on April 11, 1972, 88°52' N; 148°24'E
Shift end on April 14, 1973, 83°09' N; 15°17'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 368 days
Mean speed: 6.3 km/day
Drift track length: 3214 km
Ice floe size at opening: 12,000x6000 m with ice thickness of 3500 cm
Notes:
161 t of cargo were delivered.
134 aircraft (AN-24, IL-14 and LI-2) landed at the station.
123 physician's visits to the station.
A total of 73 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-20" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-20, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Opened on April 11, 1970, 75°35' N; 179°04'E
Shift end on April 25, 1971, 79°17' N; 176°48'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, ice, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 379 days
Mean speed: 3.36 km/day
Drift track length: 1275 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4200x3900 m, the ice thickness comprising 300 cm
Notes:
294 t of cargo were delivered.
246 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and AN-12) landed at the station.
A total of 76 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-20" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-20, Maikhrovsky E.N., Head
Shift start on April 25, 1971, 79°17' N; 176°48'E
Closed on May 10, 1972, 81°44' N; 165°47'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation
General Information:
Drift duration: 380 days
Mean speed: 4.9 km/day
Drift track length: 1860 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x3900 m, the ice thickness comprising 300 cm.
Notes:
161 t of cargo were delivered.
171 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and AN-12) landed at the station.
A total of 130 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-21" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-21, Kizino G.I., Head
Opened on May 1, 1972, 74°42' N; 175°58'E
Shift end on April 26, 1973, 79°58' N; 156°57'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, radio-physics, medical, meteorological, solar radiation,aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 360 days
Mean speed: 4.44 km/day
Drift track length: 1600 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4000x4000 m
Notes:
393 t of cargo were delivered.
190 aircraft (AN-24, IL-14, LI-2 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A mobile team of the high-latitudinal airborne Sever expedition was located on the ice floe in spring of 1973, and fuel-lubricators were delivered for them. A temporary base operated with the same purpose 300 km east of the station until May 9, 1973.
A total of 108 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-21" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-21, Makurin N.V., Head
Shift start on April 26, 1973, 79°58' N; 156°57'E
Closed on May 25, 1974, 86°16' N; 143°36'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, radio-physics, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, trials of a new automated hydrometeorological station (AHMS), aerological, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 381 days
Mean speed: 6.61 km/day
Drift track length: 2159 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3600x2500 m, the ice thickness comprising 490 cm.
Notes:
108 t of cargo were delivered.
90 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and AN-2) landed at the station.
83 physician's visits to the station
A total of 104 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-22, Moroz V.G., Head
Opened on September 13, 1973, 76°16' N; 168°31'W
Shift end on August 31, 1974, 81°26' N; 172°46'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, fathometer trials, glaciological, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 352 days
Mean speed: 6.9 km/day
Drift track length: 2426 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m at the shift start, the ice thickness comprising 3500 cm.
Notes:
1056 t of cargo were delivered.
550 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 and MI-8 helicopters) landed at the station.
A total of 307 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-22D" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-22D, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Opened on May 22, 1975, 81°01' N; 42°40'E
Closed on June 23, 1975, 79°40' N; 33°50'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical, medical, radio-physics and ice observations
General Information:
Drift duration: 31 days
Mean speed: 13.2 km/day
Drift track length: 410 km
Ice floe size at opening: 200x300 m, reducing to 50x90 m at the drift end, the ice thickness comprising 120 cm.
Notes:
6 t of cargo were delivered and transported back from the station by MI-8 helicopter.
A total of 16 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-22, Morozov P.T., Head
Shift start on August 31, 1974, 81°26' N; 172°46'W
Shift end on November 19, 1975, 83°46' N; 154°28'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, ice, radio-physics, experiments of the Main Geophysical Observatory and AARI, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 439 days
Mean speed: 5.52 km/day
Drift track length: 2153 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m, the ice thickness comprising 3500 cm.
Notes:
900 t of cargo were delivered.
610 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14, LI-2, AN-2 and MI-4 and MI-8 helicopters) landed at the station.
"NORTH POLE-22D" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-22D, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Opened on April 18, 1976, 82°18' N; 52°20'E
Closed on July 11, 1976, 81°25' N; 48°50'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical, medical, radio-physics and ice observations
General Information:
Drift duration: 85 days
Mean speed:
Drift track length: 370 km
Ice floe size at opening: 300x400 m, decreasing to 50x120 m at the drift end.
Notes:
12 t of cargo were delivered and transported back from the station by MI-8 helicopter.
On June 12 the station was moved to another ice floe due to strong melting and numerous breakups (coordinates 80°57' N; 43°14' E).
A total of 22 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-22, Makurin N.V., Head
Shift start on November 19, 1975, 83°46' N; 154°28'W
Shift end on April 15, 1976, 83°35' N; 141°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemistry, ice, radio-physics, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 148 days
Mean speed: 3.8 km/day
Drift track length: 533 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
20 t of cargo were delivered.
6 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 43 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (fourth shift)
NP-22, Vinogradov N.D., Head
Shift start on April 15, 1976, 83°35' N; 141°00'W
Shift end on April 20, 1977, 82°06' N; 128°53'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 370 days
Mean speed: 3.83 km/day
Drift track length: 250 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
45 t of cargo were delivered.
25 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 420 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions (300 people) used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (fifth shift)
NP-22, Simonov I.M., Head
Shift start on April 20, 1977, 82°06' N; 128°53'W
Shift end on April 22, 1978, 75°07' N; 137°25'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, hydrobiological, ionospheric, astronomical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 366 days
Mean speed: 4.27 km/day
Drift track length: 780 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
90 t of cargo were delivered.
20 aircraft (AN-12, IL-18 and IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 17 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions (300 people) used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (sixth shift)
NP-22, Bulatov L.V., Head
Shift start on April 22, 1978, 75°07' N; 137°25'W
Shift end on April 26, 1979, 74°52' N; 172°21'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical, observations of the optical properties of the atmosphere and atmospheric ozone, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 371 days
Mean speed: 5.90 km/day
Drift track length: 996 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
341 t of cargo were delivered.
70 aircraft (IL-18, AN-12 and IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 56 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions (300 people) used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (seventh shift)
NP-22, Rachkov V.S., Head
Shift start on April 26, 1979, 74°52' N; 172°21'W
Shift end on April 26, 1980, 78°47' N; 152°02'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric astronomical, medical, special: meteorological observations under the Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP); study of variations in optical and microphysical properties of atmospheric aerosol and their relations to the meteorological conditions above the ocean and the continent; hydrological observations under the "Nature" Program
General Information:
Drift duration: 360 days
Mean speed: 5.76 km/day
Drift track length: 1040 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
290 t of cargo were delivered.
132 aircraft (AN-12, IL-18, IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 200 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions (300 people) used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (eighth shift)
NP-22, Kizino G.I., Head
Shift start on April 26, 1980, 78°47' N; 152°02'E
Shift end on May 12, 1981, 86°06' N; 151°25'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical. Special: sub-ice study of topography of hummocked ice areas, dynamics of the near-ice water layer; tests of a sub-ice shelter; tests of electrical heaters for divers; methodological studies on sea water sample storage and conservation, study of ice mechanical properties; trials of an ice-milling machine., medical, ice observations using satellite imagery
General Information:
Drift duration: 383 days
Mean speed: 6.42 km/day
Drift track length: 2457 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
204 t of cargo were delivered.
80 aircraft (AN-12, IL-18, IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 85 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-22" DRIFTING STATION (ninth shift)
NP-22, Lukin V.V., Head
Shift start on May 20, 1981, 86°06' N; 151°25'E
Closed on April 8, 1982, 86°10' N; 00°25'
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical, medical, hydrobiological, special geological observations, special oceanographic observations, ice observations using satellite imagery
General Information:
Drift duration: 331 days
Mean speed: 6.80 km/day
Drift track length: 2249 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x2200 m
Notes:
15 t of cargo were delivered.
18 aircraft (AN-12 and IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 45 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal expeditions (300 people) used the area as their base.
On April 6, 1973 an ice island was detected in the Beaufort Sea by the pilot L.A. Veprev and hydrologists - ice reconnaissance specialists I.P. Romanov and V.V. Lukin. On September 13, 1973 the drifting station "North Pole-22" was set up on this ice island with the assistance of the icebreaker Vladivostok and the diesel-electric vessel Kapitan Kondratyev at the coordinates 76°16'N; 68°31'W. The station operated for 3120 days drifting along a closed circle in the Canadian-Alaskan sector of the Arctic Basin. After that, it moved across the North Pole to Fram Strait. All equipment suitable for work was shipped to Zhokhov and Sredny Island and to Leningrad. On April 8, 1982 the station was closed by its discoverers L.A. Veprev and V.V. Lukin, the last station head.
"NORTH POLE-23" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-23, Budretsky A.B., Head
Opened on December 5, 1975, 73°51' N; 178°25'W
Shift end on November 2, 1976, 76°01' N; 173°15'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical; Special: determination of the heat fluxes through ice; tests of the ice-milling machine.
General Information:
Drift duration: 338 days.
Mean speed: 5.03 km/day
Drift track length: 1700 km
Ice floe size at opening: 7000x3000 m
Notes:
The average ice thickness comprising 15 m (according to the profile of V.D. Grischenko).
300 t of cargo were delivered.
120 aircraft (IL-14, LI-2 and MI-6 helicopter) landed at the station.
A total of 124 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal airborne expeditions used the area as their base.
The station ice floe was located and manned on November 30, 1975. The scientific personnel arrived on December 4-5, 1975.
"NORTH POLE-23" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-23, Piguzov V.M., Head
Shift start on November 2, 1976, 76°01' N; 173°15'E
Shift end on November 2, 1977, 83°43' N; 150°54'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical; Special: study of fine structure of the fields of sound velocity propagation in water and water temperature; measurements of the air-sea heat exchange; biological and ichthyological collections; ice morphology observations at the subsidiary station.
General Information:
Drift duration: 365 days
Mean speed: 5.61 km/day
Drift track length: 2409 km
Ice floe size at opening: 7000x3000 m
Notes:
428 t of cargo were delivered.
170 aircraft (LI-2, IL-14, AN-24 and AN-26) landed at the station.
A total of 165 people visited the ice floe.
High-latitudinal airborne expeditions used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-23" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-23, Kizino G.I., Head
Shift start on November 2, 1977, 83°43' N; 150°54'E
Closed on November 1, 1978, 87°40' N; 22°31'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, Special: a complex of studies of ice mechanical, thermal and radio-physical properties, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 365 days
Mean speed: 5.60 km/day
Drift track length: 2037 km
Ice floe size at opening: 7000x3000 m
Notes:
178 t of cargo were delivered.
216 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
In spring 1978 personnel were replaced.
A total of 129 people visited the ice floe.
In November 1977, NP-23 and NP-23F were combined.
The station drifted 7 km from the North Pole on July 16, 1978 (89°58'N; 125°12'W).
The last group of Yu.B. Konstantinov that was responsible for demobilization and shipment of camp equipment left the ice floe on November 16, 1978.
High-latitudinal airborne expeditions used the area as their base.
"NORTH POLE-24" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-24, Popov I.K., Head
Opened on June 23, 1978, 76°45' N; 163°00'E
Shift end on May 15, 1979, 81°47' N; 144°30'E
astronomical determinations began from May 3, 1978.
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, glaciological, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical, special: natural fluctuations and the stress state of the ice cover; seabed seismic sounding to investigate its structure; growth and melting of ice of different age categories; ice cover morphological characteristics obtained by using active and passive radio-methods.
General Information:
Drift duration: 377 days
Mean speed: 5.573 km/day
Drift track length: 2102 km
Ice floe size at opening: 15,000x6500 m
Notes:
520 t of cargo were delivered.
68 aircraft (AN-12, IL-14 and AN-2) landed at and the nuclear icebreaker "Sibir'" visited the station.
A total of 83 people visited the ice floe.
The ice island was discovered by V.I. Shilnikov in August 1977.
On March 9, 1978 (75°12'N; 172°00'E) its was detected again.
The station was set up with the help of aircraft. The nuclear icebreaker Sibir provided a complete supply operation during the super-early high-latitudinal cruise after eastward routing of the diesel-electric vessel Kapitan Myshevsky.
High-latitudinal airborne expeditions used the area as their base (330).
"NORTH POLE-24" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-24, Gavrilo V.P., Head
Shift start on May 15, 1979, 81°47' N; 144°30'E
Shift end on November 6, 1979, 83°35' N; 133°30'E
astronomical determinations began from May 3, 1978.
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, geophysical, astronomical, medical; Special: study of ice physical-mechanical and strength properties; study of ice cover deformations; study of temperature and salinity fluctuations in the near-ice layer (up to 140 cm) using low-inertia instruments; study of wave processes in the upper thermocline layer and in ice.
General Information:
Drift duration: 175 days
Mean speed: 6.96 km/day
Drift track length: 1279 km
Ice floe size at opening: 15,000x6500 m
Notes:
27 t of cargo were delivered.
25 aircraft ( IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 120 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-24" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-24, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Shift start on November 6, 1979, 83°35' N; 133°30'E
Shift end on November 19, 1980, 86°03' N; 29°40'E
astronomical determinations began from May 3, 1978.
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical; Special: radio-physics, geophysical.
General Information:
Drift duration: 379 days
Mean speed: 6.03 km/day
Drift track length: 2271 km
Ice floe size at opening: 15000x6500 m
Notes:
The ice floe size was 15000x6500 m at the beginning and at the end of the drift.
30 t of cargo were delivered.
45 aircraft (AN-12 and IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 60 people visited the ice floe.
The average thickness of the ice island comprised 22 m.
The drift velocities of the "NP-6" and the "NP-24" coincided.
"NORTH POLE-24D" DRIFTING STATION
NP-24D, Lebedev G.A., Head
Opened on May 17, 1979, 80°11' N; 67°41'E
Closed due to the ice floe breakup on June 2, 1979, 80°23' N; 66°58'E
Opened on June 11, 1979, 80°44' N; 68°00'E
Closed on July 7, 1979, 80°42' N; 67°34'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical, medical, radio-physics
General Information:
Drift duration: 16 days
Mean speed:
Drift track length: 78 km
Ice floe size at opening: 500x400 m
Notes:
The drift duration on the first ice floe was 16 days, the total drift comprising 78 km, in the general direction 329° - 27 km; on the second ice floe: the drift duration was 26 days, in the general direction 246° - 9 km, the total drift comprising 107 km.
The first ice floe size was 500x400 m at the beginning reducing to 70x40 m at the end of the drift.
The second ice floe size was 800x600 m at the beginning reducing to 300x200 m at the end of the drift.
30 t of cargo were delivered.
30 flights.
MI-8 helicopter was used.
A total of 35 people visited the ice floe including the helicopter crews
"NORTH POLE-24D" DRIFTING STATION
NP-24D, Lebedev G.A., Head
Opened on April 9, 1980, 81°30' N; 72°45'E
Closed on June 11, 1980, 81°59' N; 59°24'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical, medical, radio-physics
General Information:
Drift duration: 63 days
Drift track length: 513 km
Ice floe size at opening: 600x400 m
Notes:
The ice floe size was 600x400 m at the beginning of the drift decreasing to 100x100 m at the end of the drift.
30 t of cargo were delivered.
30 flights of MI-8 helicopter
A total of 35 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-24D" DRIFTING STATION
NP-24D, Lebedev G.A., Head
Opened on April 6, 1981, 80°19' N; 68°10'E
Closed on June 8, 1981, 79°26' N; 64°43'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, astronomical, medical, radio-physics
General Information:
Drift duration: 63 days
Mean speed:
Drift track length: 128 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1500x1500 m
Notes:
The drift in the general direction 214° was 128 km.
The total drift comprised 513 km.
The ice floe size was 1500x1500 m at the drift start and at the drift end.
30 t of cargo were delivered.
30 flights of MI-8 helicopter.
A total of 32 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-25" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-25, Sidorov V.S., Head
Opened on May 16, 1981, 75°01' N; 168°35'E
Shift end on April 27, 1982, 81°52' N; 164°08'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemistry, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 346 days
Mean speed: 6.80 km/day
Drift track length: 2351 km
Ice floe size at opening: 12000x1000 m
Notes:
150 t of cargo were delivered.
94 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2, MI-8 and MI-6 helicopters) landed at the station.
A total of 50 people visited the ice floe.
The station was set up at the southern boundary of the prevailing multi-year ice.
"NORTH POLE-25" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-25, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Shift start on April 27, 1982, 81°52' N; 164°08'E
Shift end on May 9, 1983, 84°08' N; 140°51'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical, ice observations based on satellite imagery
General Information:
Drift duration: 377 days
Mean speed: 5.50 km/day
Drift track length: 2067 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1000x800 m
Notes:
100 t of cargo were delivered.
100 aircraft (IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 58 people visited the ice floe.
The autumn supply operation was performed by dropping two platforms with a total weight of 8 t from IL-76 VTA aircraft.
"NORTH POLE-25" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-25, Lebedev G.A., Head
Shift start on May 9, 1983, 84°08' N; 140°51'W
Closed on April 20, 1984, 85°50' N; 122°15'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical; Special: ice and water radio-physical studies; ice observations based on satellite imagery.
General Information:
Drift duration: 347 days
Mean speed: 3.85 km/day
Drift track length: 1336 km
Ice floe size at opening: 850x800 m
Notes:
150 t of cargo were delivered.
100 aircraft (IL-14) landed at the station.
A total of 36 people visited the ice floe.
The autumn supply operation was performed by cargo parachuting from IL-76 VTA aircraft.
The ice floe remains were found by the icebreaker Admiral Makarov on October 13, 1988 at 84°08'N; 140°51'W on its way to NP-31.
"NORTH POLE-26" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-26, Sidorov V.S., Head
Opened on May 21, 1983, 78°30' N; 174°46'E
Shift end on April 29, 1984, 80°29' N; 175°30'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical, medical
Special: seismic-acoustic and electromagnetic studies in ice and water.
General Information:
Drift duration: 344 days
Mean speed: 6.10 km/day
Drift track length: 2100 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1200x800 m
Notes:
780 t of cargo were delivered.
317 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2, MI-8 and MI-6 helicopters) landed at the station.
A total of 182 people visited the ice floe.
The station was manned on March 22, 1983, 77°21'N; 179°15'W, the ice thickness comprising 250-300 cm.
"NORTH POLE-26" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-26, Voinov G.N. , Head (until December 12, 1984)
Sidorov V.S. (until May 10, 1985)
Shift start on April 29, 1984, 80°29' N; 175°30'W
Shift end on May 10, 1985, 82°16' N; 166°13'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, geomagnetic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, astronomical, medical; Special: trials of the "AZOT" turbulence meter, ice observations based on satellite imagery.
General Information:
Drift duration: 366 days
Mean speed: 6.0 km/day
Drift track length: 2180 km
Ice floe size at opening: 5000x6000 m
Notes:
250 t of cargo were delivered.
350 aircraft (IL-14 and AN-2) landed at the station.
A total of 180 people visited the ice floe.
At the beginning of the drift, the camp was moved to an adjoining ice floe.
The ice thickness comprised 250-350 cm.
"NORTH POLE-26" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-26, Blinov N.I., Head (until February 1, 1998)
Tikhonov Yu.P., Head (until April 4, 1986)
Shift start on May 10, 1985, 82°16' N; 166°13'W.
Closed on April 9, 1986, 82°46' N; 170°31'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, ionospheric, magnetic, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 334 days
Mean speed: 3.3 km/day
Drift track length: 1100 km
Ice floe size at opening: 800x900 m
Notes:
180 t of cargo were delivered to the ice floe and 40 t of cargo transported back to the mainland.
Aircraft type - IL-14.
A total of 28 people visited the ice floe.
The station head was replaced at the request of the station personnel.
"NORTH POLE-27" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-27, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Opened on June 2, 1984, 78°31' N; 160°30'E
Shift end on April 20, 1985, 80°56' N; 159°59'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 323 days
Mean speed: 5.3 km/day
Drift track length: 1725 km
Ice floe size at opening: 4600x5300 m
Notes:
90 t of cargo were delivered.
90 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and MI-6 helicopters) landed at the station.
A total of 23 people visited the ice floe.
The equipment for operation of NP-27 was transported from NP-25.
The autumn supply operation was by dropping cargo from IL-14 aircraft.
The ice thickness comprised 400-600 cm.
"NORTH POLE-27" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-27, Rachkov V.S., Head
Shift start on April 20, 1985, 80°56' N; 159°59'E
Shift end on May 12, 1986, 86°56' N; 129°03'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, hydrochemistry, meteorological, solar radiation, medical, astronomical
General Information:
Drift duration: 387 days
Mean speed: 5.7 km/day
Drift track length: 2218 km
Ice floe size at opening: 3000x5000 m
Notes:
62 t of cargo were delivered.
32 aircraft landed at the station.
A total of 43 people visited the ice floe.
"NORTH POLE-27" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-27, Tikhonov Yu.P., Head
Shift start on May 12, 1986, 86°56' N; 129°03'E
Closed on May 20, 1987, 86°28' N; 09°02'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, astronomical, meteorological, solar radiation, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 374 days
Mean speed: 4.58 km/day
Drift track length: 1712 km
Ice floe size at opening: 700x600 m
Notes:
42 t of cargo were delivered.
Six aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 and IL-76 - cargo dropping) landed at the station.
A total of 16 people visited the ice floe (except for personnel and the crews).
The station was closed on May 20 by the nuclear icebreaker Sibir.
"NORTH POLE-28" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-28, Chernyshov A.F., Head
Opened on May 21, 1986, 80°40' N; 168°29'E
Shift end on April 25, 1987, 81°04' N; 168°45'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, astronomical, meteorological, solar radiation, geomagnetic; Ice observations based on satellite imagery, Measurement-Computing Center, aerological, medical. Special: aerosol-optical characteristics of atmospheric trace gases; records of ice stress and strain variability with a wide range of elastic gravitation waves with periods between 0.1 to 30 s. The station fulfilled the objectives of improving the systems and methods of full-scale studies. The scientific program included ice-oceanographic, meteorological, aerological, geophysical, medical, satellite-ice observations as well as observations of the aerosol-optical characteristics and trace gases in the atmosphere. Synchronous oceanographic observations were carried out on a polygon (at three points for 30 days) for detecting and investigating the characteristics of the sub-surface currents (eddies) in the Arctic Basin. For the first time a measurement-computing center was set up at the station for automated acquisition, processing and management of practically all kinds of observations at NP-28.
General Information:
Drift duration: 340 days
Mean speed: 8.89 km/day
Drift track length: 3000 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2500x2000 m
Notes:
The ice thickness comprised 400-600 cm (up to 900 cm in the camp).
500 t of cargo were delivered by AN-2 and MI-8 and MI-6.
220 aircraft (IL-14, AN-2 (IL-76 dropped fuel and a tractor) landed at the station.
A total of 27 people visited the ice floe.
Ice floe breakup on September 28, 1986 and October 10, 1986.
"NORTH POLE-28" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-28, Kalyazin V.Ye., Head
Shift start on April 25, 1987, 81°04' N; 168°45'E
Shift end on April 20, 1988, 89°26' N; 175°48'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, astronomical, meteorological, solar radiation, study of aerosol-optical characteristics of the content of trace gases in the atmosphere, aerological, geophysical, magnetic observations, satellite ice observations, Information-Computer Center. Special: hydrochemistry including the level of pollution of surface sea water, snow-ice cover and atmospheric precipitation by oil hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals (similar to the studies in the first shift), medical.
General Information:
Drift duration: 360 days
Mean speed: 7.6 km/day
Drift track length: 2744 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1500x13000 m
Notes:
The breakup occurred during rotation of personnel.
The ice thickness comprised 400-600 cm (600-900 cm in the camp).
250 t of cargo were delivered. Supply mainly by dropping fuel from IL-76.
315 aircraft (AN-74, IL-14 and MI-8 helicopter) landed at the station.
The ice floe broke up in March to April 1988.
"NORTH POLE-28" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-28, Stepanov V.K., Head
Shift start on April 20, 1988, 89°26' N; 175°48'E
Closed on January 23, 1989, 79°40' N; 03°09'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, geomagnetic, satellite-based ice observations, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 278 days
Mean speed: 6.1 km/day
Drift track length: 1890 km
Ice floe size at opening: 450x250 m
Notes:
The ice thickness comprised 300-500 cm.
120 t of cargo were delivered.
Aircraft: AN-74 (4), IL-76 - dropping cargo (4) and IL-14 (30) and MI-8 helicopter (16).
Canadian aircraft arrived to the station to meet, at the North Pole, the Russian-Canadian expedition that had passed along the Severnaya Zemlya-North Pole-Ellesmere Land sea route. Two MI-8 helicopters flew from NP-28 to the Pole. Yu.A. Izrael and A.N. Chilingarov were present at the meeting. Ilya P. Romanov was entrusted with organizing the base at the North Pole.
Up to 200 people simultaneously concentrated at NP-28, meeting and seeing off the skiers.
The station was closed by the icebreaker Rossiya on January 23 at 04 h Moscow time, at the coordinates 79°40'N; 03°09'E.
"NORTH POLE-29" DRIFTING STATION
NP-29, Lukin V.V., Head
Opened on June 10, 1987, 80°22.8' N; 112°59.0'E
Closed on August 19, 1988, 84°42.8' N; 56°34'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, sea ice, meteorological.
General Information:
Drift duration: 436 days
Mean speed: 6.16 km/day
Drift track length: 2686 km
Ice floe size at opening: 350x300 m
Notes:
445 t of cargo were delivered:
320 t by icebreaker, 50 t by MI-8 helicopter and 60 t by IL-76 helicopter by parachuting, 15 t by IL-14 aircraft by parachuting.
52 flights of MI-8 helicopter, 10 flights by IL-14 aircraft, 3 flights by IL-76 aircraft for cargo dropping by parachuting.
A total of 55 people visited the ice floe.
The station was set up and closed using the nuclear icebreaker Sibir.
The general destination points were Murmansk, the drifting station NP-27, and Dikson. The destination points for cargo shipped by sea: permanent station at Cape Baranov (Severnaya Zemlya) and Dikson. The sailing route of the nuclear icebreaker Sibir at station opening: Murmansk - NP-27 - geographical North Pole - Dikson - NP-29 - Murmansk. For construction of the NP-29 station, some of the materials and equipment of the decommissioned NP-27 station were used.
"NORTH POLE-30" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-30, Piguzov V.M., Head
Opened on October 9, 1987, 74°18' N; 171°24'W
Shift end on February 20, 1989, 77°52 N; 169°29'E
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, radio-physics, study of seismometric wave fields. Studies of physical-mechanical ice properties and fine-scale structures of hydrophysical fields of the Arctic Ocean. Study of natural electromagnetic fields at the SLF range. Observations of variations of the Earth's magnetic field, medical.
General Information:
Drift duration: 500 days
Mean speed: 7.08 km/day
Drift track length: 3600 km
Ice floe size at opening: 6000x1500 m
Notes:
870 t of cargo were delivered:
105 flights of IL-14 (79), AN-2 (4), MI-8 (10) and IL-76 (8) to the ice floe.
The station was opened by the Yermak icebreaker and the diesel-electric vessel Vitus Bering.
Breakup and ridging on January 4-11, 1998, breaking into three parts on December 11-20, 1988.
The ice floe thickness comprised 170-250 cm.
"NORTH POLE-30" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-30, Ippolitov V.S., Head
Shift start on February 20, 1989, 77°52 N; 169°29'E
Shift end on April 24, 1990, 82°48 N; 146°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 410 days
Mean speed: 5.82 km/day
Drift track length: 2387 km
Ice floe size at opening: 2000x1500 m
Notes:
The ice thickness was 200-250 cm.
183 t of cargo were delivered:
81 flights of IL-14 and AN-26 (partial delivery of NP-31 by AN-2) to the ice floe.
The station was transferred to a new location from May 3 to May 20.
Breakup in May 1999 and transportation to a new location.
A total of 64 people visited the station except for the crews.
"NORTH POLE-30" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-30, Sokolov V.T. , Head
Shift start on April 24, 1990, 82°48 N; 146°00'W
Closed on April 4, 1991, 82°31 N; 126°26'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, astronomical, medical, aerological
Special:
"NORTH POLE-31" DRIFTING STATION (first shift)
NP-31, Sidorov V.S., Head (from October 22, 1988 until December 12, 1989)
Stepanov V.K. (from December 12, 1989 until April 21, 1990)
Opened on October 22, 1988, 76°35' N; 153°10'W
Shift end on April 21, 1990, 76°12 N; 134°23'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, Geological, hydrochemical, hydro-optical, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, satellite information, geophysical, geological-geophysical, medical, morphometry
General Information:
Drift duration: 545 days
Mean speed: 5.1
Drift track length: 2818
Ice floe size at opening: 9000x8000 m
Notes:
Personnel consisted of 62 members.
About 2000 t of cargo was shipped to and from the station.
The station was opened by the icebreaker Admiral Makarov and the diesel-electric ship Vladimir Arsenyev.
While heading to the ice floe on October 13, 1988 the remains of NP-25 were found at the coordinates 76°35'N; 153°10'W. The station was opened in 1981 and abandoned in 1984. The huts and tents were at the foundations up to 4 m high.
The ships approached the selected ice floe on October 16, 1988. The unloading took six days, the ships leaving after that to save whales offshore Alaska.
The ice thickness comprised 300-350 cm.
60 flights of IL-14, AN-74, AN-12 (cargo dropping) and IL-76 (cargo dropping) were received at the ice floe.
A total of 115 people visited the station, not counting the expeditions, ships and aircraft.
"NORTH POLE-31" DRIFTING STATION (second shift)
NP-31, Tikhonov Yu. P., Head
Shift start on April 21, 1990, 76°12 N; 134°23'W
Shift end on April 20, 1991, 72°05 N; 149°00'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, satellite information, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, geophysical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 335 days
Mean speed: 6.0 km/day
Drift track length: 2018 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1700x1300 m
Notes:
The ice thickness comprised 300-350 cm.
43 t of cargo were delivered.
15 flights of IL-14, AN-16, AN-2, AN-74 and IL-76 (cargo dropping) were made to the ice floe.
A total of up to 60 people gathered at the station during some periods.
On May 16, the station was visited by a Canadian group (six people).
"NORTH POLE-31" DRIFTING STATION (third shift)
NP-31, Vinogradov N.D., Head
Shift start on April 20, 1991, 72°05 N; 149°00'W
Closed on July 25, 1991, 73°33 N; 161°04'W
Scientific Studies:
Oceanographic, meteorological, solar radiation, aerological, satellite information, geophysical, medical
General Information:
Drift duration: 96 days
Mean speed: 6.6 km/day
Drift track length: 639 km
Ice floe size at opening: 1000x600 m
Notes:
The ice thickness comprised 120-350 cm.
50 t of cargo were delivered and 300 t shipped from the station.
10 aircraft of the AN-74 type landed at the ice floe.
One seasonal group operated at the station.
In addition to personnel and crews, 20 people visited the ice floe.
The station drifted in a small circle of anticyclonic ice motion in the Canadian sector of the Arctic Basin.
This was the last of the Russian scientific "North Pole" drifting stations in the Arctic Ocean.