Participants of the "North Pole — 42" expedition, which started in September 2024, have completed large-scale oceanographic studies in areas of the Arctic Ocean that have been inaccessible for study since 2007. The work was carried out from the world's only ice-resistant self-propelled platform (LSP) "North Pole", capable of drifting autonomously for up to two years.
According to the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), the station's drift trajectory covered key morphometric structures of the seabed: the Lomonosov Ridge, the Podvodnikov Basin, and the western slope of the Mendeleev Ridge.
Regular oceanographic soundings from the surface to the bottom allowed a detailed study of the vertical thermohaline structure of the waters in these areas, characteristic of the winter season.
The technological basis of the project was the LSP "North Pole", equipped with 15 laboratories and capable of operating at temperatures down to –50°C. The platform, with a displacement of more than 10 thousand tons, ensures the autonomous operation of 34 scientists and 14 crew members. Its key advantage is the ability to reach remote points without the support of icebreakers, which reduces costs and expands the geography of research.
The collected data will help refine models for predicting ice conditions, which are critical for navigation along the Northern Sea Route. The last similar measurements in this area were carried out in 2007.
The LSP "North Pole" sets a new standard for Arctic research. Unlike temporary stations, the platform provides continuous data collection even in extreme conditions. This opens up opportunities for long-term monitoring of climate change and optimization of the Northern Sea Route logistics — a key route for the transportation of energy resources.
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