Historians, surveyors, cartographers, geologists, oceanologists, volcanologists, biologists, searchers and other specialists are invited to join a comprehensive research expedition, sponsored by the Russian Geographical Society and the Northern Fleet, to explore Arctic archipelagos. Two teams will leave for the Arctic; the first one will work there in August 2020, and the second team will take its place from August through October 2020. Applications from contenders are accepted through July 12, 2020.

According to the organizers, the comprehensive expedition to the Arctic archipelagos marks the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory, the 175th anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society, the 110th anniversary of the Arctic Ocean Hydrographic Expedition, the 120th anniversary of the Russian Polar Expedition, and the 145th birth anniversary of famous Arctic explorer Vladimir Rusanov.

Diagram of expedition route. © Press service of the Russian Geographical Society

"Expedition members will search for underwater historical objects near Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, on the Taimyr Peninsula, the New Siberian and Lyakhovskiye Islands, De Long Islands, Wrangel Island, the Chukchi Peninsula, Severnaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. Specialists will also study cultural and natural landmarks on these islands and will continue looking for historical artifacts," the press service of the Russian Geographical Society said in a statement.

Project participants will install memorials honoring the expeditions of famous Russian explorers en route. A memorial honoring the Russian Polar Expedition of Eduard Toll will be erected on Nablyudeniy Island. Hercules Island will receive another memorial honoring the expedition of Vladimir Rusanov, and the third memorial, dedicated to the expedition of Georgy Ushakov, will appear on Herald Island.

Details are posted on the Russian Geographical Society website.