Big Soviet Plans For Polar Research

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28541, 21 March 1958, Page 16

Big Soviet Plans For Polar Research

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. Soviet scientists are planning an.all-out assault on the Antarctic and the Arctic for the coming year, according to the Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Worker.” Six of the leading Soviet Polar explorers disclosed at a press conference today that one of their principal aims would be to try to solve the secrets of long-range weather forecasting. A leading Soviet Polar weather expert. Professor Boris Zerzyevsky, said that already preliminary data obtained by Soviet scientists in the Antarctic had resulted in many previously held theories being demolished. The example quoted by Professor Zerzyevsky was that it could be stated now that cyclones not only circled the Antarctic but also crossed it from the Ross Sea to the Weddell Sea. Until recently it was thought that an almost continuous anticyclone covered the whole Antarctic area. The Assistant-Director of the Societ Arctic Research Institute. Professor Pavel Gordienko, said that 23 Arctic expeditions had been planned by the institute for this year. Planes would be leaving soon to relieve scientists who had wintered on the floating ice stations of North Pole 6 and North Pole 7. These stations had already sent more than 10.000 weather balloons into the air and taken more than 5000 depth soundings.

In the Antarctic, the head of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition. Dr. Mikhail Somov, said that Soviet scientists were preparing to spend a whole winter at the Pionerskaya station, more than 250 miles from the coast and nearly 10.000 feet above sea level. A leading Soviet scientist attached to the International Geophysical Year programme. Professor Alexander Husev, said that radio had enabled Antarctic expedition members to overcome one of their greatest problems—the sense of complete isolation. It was a great tonic for an explorer to be able to hear his family speaking from home.

Reuter said that Professor Gordienko had added that Soviet Arctic expeditions in the past had totalled nearly 20 a year. Russia also had nearly 100 permanent hydro-meteorological stations based on Arctic coastlines and islands.

The Assistant Chief of the Central Northern Sea route Administration. Mr Burkhanov, told the press conference that it was commonly believed that the time allotted for the 1.G.Y., due to end in December, was too short. The question of an extension would be discussed at the I.G.Y. Assembly meeting in Moscow next August, he said.