Round-the-world oceanographic expedition of the Russian Geographical Society commences

The World Oceanographic Expedition has started. Its route in many respects follows the way of the ships of the participants of the First Russian expedition of 1819-1821 under the command of Bellingshausen and Lazarev. The participants of the expedition will travel from Kronstadt to the Baltic, North Seas, the Atlantic Ocean and other parts of the World Ocean.

According to the Russian Geographical Society (RGO), the way will lie through the Atlantic Ocean to Antarctica, and then back through the South, Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It will cover a distance of over 40 thousand miles. The expedition will visit the ports of Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Messina, the port of Victoria and Limassol and many others.

The expedition is attended by a scientific group of the Russian Geographical Society, including specialists from the Lomonosov State University of Moscow, Roshydromet, the Russian Academy of Sciences and Rosgeology. Scientists will conduct hydrographic work in the Bellingshausen Sea and oceanographic and hydrometeorological studies in the seas surrounding Antarctica. They will also collect materials that will update the Russian navigation maritime charts. In addition, it is planned to clarify the position of the magnetic pole in the Southern Hemisphere, which in the 60s of the 20th century shifted from the mainland (Adelie Land), passed an ice shelf and is now located in the D'Urville Sea.

The journey marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by Russian sailors Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev, as well as the 250th anniversary of the birth of Admiral Adam Johann von Krusenstern.

The voyage is planned in such a way that on January 28, 2020 the ship will arrive at the Russian Antarctic station Bellingshausen. There, the crew will take part in events dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. The expedition will finish on June 5, 2020.

The expedition is carried out on the vessels of the Hydrographic Service of the Russian Navy by the Russian Geographical Society together with the Russian Ministry of Defense.