Investigation of Bennett Island, part of the Delong Archipelago by the Russian Geographical Society

Investigation of Bennett Island, part of the Delong Archipelago by the Russian Geographical Society. Brief information. Conceptually.

Geopolitical aspects. According to the U.S. Arctic Declaration signed by President Bush, all undeveloped land in the Arctic is no man's land. The Delong Islands were discovered by the American Delong Expedition and half of its crew died. At present, the Delong Islands belong to the Russian Federation, represented by its largest main body, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and its Brunski district, but no economic activity is carried out there. Some U.S. senators are trying to challenge ownership of the island. 2022 marks the 100 anniversary of the founding of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Yakutia. The organization of this expedition will be a real demonstration of the presence and activities of Yakutia and Russia on some of the Russian islands in the Arctic Ocean.

There are plans to install a traditional yakut dwelling-a stall-as a rescue station and scientific hospital for the bennett island nature reserve. The rescue station has compact autonomous energy and communication resources and can be used as a scientific research station. In addition, the depot may have a registered post office, like part of Brunski Urus, with its own special stamps for canceling mail, etc.

Historical aspects. Following in the footsteps of Russian Arctic conquerors. Baron Eduard Toll's famous expedition, with the lofty goal of building a rescue station for the subsequent expeditions, searched for the Sannikov Land, but was tragically killed. In 1903, Lieutenant (future admiral) A.V. Kolchak (A.V. Kolchak)'s rescue expedition in search of the missing E. Thor expedition took a ship across the ice to Bennett Island. In this regard, our proposed action is a continuation of Russia's historical tradition of helping victims in the Arctic.

research work. In the mid-50s of the last century, S.M. Uspensky, PhD in biological sciences, spent a summer working on the island of Bennett. Since then, no systematic biological studies have been conducted. The islands are of great scientific value. The bird communities are an indirect indication of the abundance of fish resources, as birds simply do not fly that far to the Arctic. Data on climate and natural change can be obtained on reference lands that have been untouched for nearly 70 years. Therefore, seismologists, volcanologists, ornithologists, botanists, paleontologists have not studied them (a pygmy mammoth was found in the Novosibirsk Islands, and mammoths were found dead by human darts, etc.). There you can install remote transmission seismic and thermal sensors, weather stations, etc. The expedition will take place in the Siberian interglacial lake region of the Arctic Ocean. This unfrozen river, located between hills, is one of the most mysterious places on earth, with plans to collect samples of aquatic life along the way. U o. Bennett may have the only active volcano in Yakutia. The impact of volcanic activity on the Siberian interglacial lakes, the threat of tsunamis from the extension of the open waters of the Arctic Ocean, has not been studied, but has practical and scientific implications. In theory, tsunamis could pose a threat to economic activity on the Northern Sea Route, populated areas and low tundra coasts. There is the only active volcano in Yakutia. The impact of volcanic activity on the Siberian interglacial lakes, the threat of tsunamis from the extension of the open waters of the Arctic Ocean, has not been studied, but has practical and scientific implications. In theory, tsunamis could pose a threat to economic activity on the Northern Sea Route, populated areas and low tundra coasts. There is the only active volcano in Yakutia. The impact of volcanic activity on the Siberian interglacial lakes, the threat of tsunamis from the extension of the open waters of the Arctic Ocean, has not been studied, but has practical and scientific implications. In theory, tsunamis could pose a threat to economic activity on the Northern Sea Route, populated areas and low tundra coasts.

The established scientific station will be the basis for systematic research on the island. The activities of this expedition will have wide international repercussions because they increase the level of security in the Arctic.

Technical aspects.

In 2022, 2 inflatable PVC catamarans are planned to continue the 2020 route from Bolshoi Lyakhovsky Island to Bennett Island and back. Crossing the Arctic Ocean in an inflatable catamaran showcases global climate change. From Tiksi to Bennett, A. Kolchak walked mainly on ice and now has 1100 kilometers of open water. The construction of a rescue station in the form of a 5x 5 m yakut stall on the island stylized yakut stall suitable for life in harsh conditions (in 2020, its construction materials were left in storage at the Kigilyakh meteorological station in Dalyakhovsky, Moscow). island) and will be assembled directly on Bennett Island. Technically, it was built without the help of cranes and heavy equipment. As a rescue station, it will be equipped with autonomous energy and communications.

Provisions on Expedition.

PurposeScientific research on ecology, biology, ornithology, paleontology and seismology in Bennett Island of the Delong Islands. Reach Bennett Island by inflatable catamaran. Open a scientific hospital.

Tasks:

Laying the foundations for the systematic development of the island of Bennett, the traditional home of the Yakut people into a rescue station and a scientific hospital.

Confirmation of ongoing Russian activities on the island. Installation of serge and orthodox crosses. The official seal of the island of Bennett was established as part of the Brunski Urus of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) of the Russian Federation.

According to A. Kolchak and De Toll, scientific research in biology (counting of birds, mammals, herbarium collections), paleontology (examination and recording of paleontological discoveries), describing the discovery of prehistoric animal skeletons, hydrobiology (collection of materials) along and inland reservoirs and glaciers), seismology, volcanology. If possible, install remote equipment (temperature sensors-soil recorders, seismic sensors, autonomous weather stations, etc.) ordered by scientific research institutions.

Looking for traces of Russian predecessors.

Check the condition of historical monuments.

Making videos, including. Underwater shoots at underwater volcano sites and use drones to photograph islands and bird habitats.

Expedition Date: end-July to August 2022.Route: Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island (Kigilyakh Weather Station)-Maly Lyakhovsky Island-o. Kotelny (Fateevsky Peninsula)-approx. Novosibirsk-approx. Bennett-and come back.

Logistics. Transportation. (subject to 2021 logistics)

The goods were transported in 40-ton closed containers Yakutsk-Nayansk to Korema or Indigirka by passing LORP vessels. The members of the expedition arrived in Ustikuyiga by regular aircraft (Polar Air) and then took a boat to Lower Yansk.

Lower Yansk-Bolshoi Lyakhovsky Island (Kigilyakh weather station) or Holy Nose Horn (LORP) on passing ships to transport expedition members and cargo on deck. All participants have rescue equipment. (In extreme cases, we will take a catamaran to the Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island, which will cause additional fuel consumption). From the Moscow island of Dalyahovsky to the island of Bennett and back by two inflatable catamaran. Each ship has 90 and 70 horsepower main outboard engines, with 40 horsepower in reserve. The way back from the island. Bolshoi Lyakhovsky travel on LORP vessels to Tiksi (with cargo to Yakutsk) or to Lower Yansk where they are loaded on LORP vessels.

Expedition composition: 8People. The core of the expedition participants are professional rescuers from Yakutia. They have practical experience working in extreme Arctic situations. They have the right to operate small ships. Each person has at least 5 specialties and can quickly set up stalls. Expedition leader, doctor, ecologist, ornithologist. Expedition members were specially trained in the techniques of collecting biological and aquatic biological samples and herbarium. If possible, we are ready to install autonomous weather stations and autonomous seismic sensors.

Expedition leader N.A. Nakhodkin

We're actually happy to accept an order to produce a ship for this expedition. One of the sponsors of the trip was Solar LLC, which gave us the opportunity to additionally test our vessel in the Delonga Islands.